'What's in a name? Fit-for-purpose bacterial nomenclature' : meeting report

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Patrick, Sheila and Filkins, Laura and Goker, Markus and Holden, Nicola and Hoskisson, Paul A. and Kiepas, Angelika and Meehan, Conor and Pallen, Mark and Pritchard, Leighton and Suchanek, Amanda L. and Sutcliffe, Iain and Trujillo, Martha E. and Tucker, Nicholas and Turnbull, Jake D. and Butler-Wu, Susan (2025) 'What's in a name? Fit-for-purpose bacterial nomenclature' : meeting report. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 75 (7). IJSEM-D-25-00131. ISSN 1466-5026 (https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.006844)

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Abstract

Rapid and economical DNA sequencing has resulted in a revolution in phylogenomics. The impact of changes in nomenclature can be perceived of as an absolute necessity of scientific rigour coupled with the slight inconvenience of the need to re-learn names. In relation to practical aspects of microbiology, for example infectious disease diagnosis, there may however be potential dangers. Historically, prokaryote classification has been based on multiple metabolic, physiological, biochemical and descriptive characteristics combined with the environmental source. Whole-genome sequence data have transformed our ability to determine evolutionary relationships. In addition, metagenomic and metataxonomic sequencing has resulted in the discovery of novel microbes, many yet to be cultured. As a result, occasional name changes and additional prokaryote discovery have accelerated at an unprecedented pace. Here-in is a report of a Microbiology Society supported meeting of representatives of the communities of specialist taxonomists, phylo-geneticists and applied microbiologists. Discussion included: recent advances in phylogenomics and the potential impact of nomenclature change on practical microbiology e.g. Plant Pathology, Food Security, Industrial Microbiology, Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; the need, or lack thereof, for wider consideration and consultation prior to nomenclature change proposals which impact on practical microbiology; the application of the intricate and highly necessary rules of prokaryote nomenclature, which sometimes appear unfathomable to the non-specialist; genome-based phylogenomics and the relationship with the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. The meeting resulted in the formation of the Ad hoc Committee for Mitigating Changes in Prokaryotic Nomenclature under the auspices of the International Committee on Systematics for Prokaryotes.

ORCID iDs

Patrick, Sheila, Filkins, Laura, Goker, Markus, Holden, Nicola, Hoskisson, Paul A. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4332-1640, Kiepas, Angelika ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5133-492X, Meehan, Conor, Pallen, Mark, Pritchard, Leighton ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8392-2822, Suchanek, Amanda L., Sutcliffe, Iain, Trujillo, Martha E., Tucker, Nicholas, Turnbull, Jake D. and Butler-Wu, Susan;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)