Proposals to revise the Statutes of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes.

The International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes serves to administer the rules of prokaryotic nomenclature via the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, ensures the publication of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, and works to represent the interests of the microbiological disciplines regarding prokaryotic nomenclature. The functions and mechanisms of operation of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) are defined in its Statutes, which were last revised in 2019. As members of the 2020-2023 and the 2023-2026 ICSP Executive Board and the Judicial Commission, we propose here some further revisions to help improve the clarity and functionality of the Statutes.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? A call for community participation in the governance of the SeqCode.

Codes of nomenclature that provide well-regulated and stable frameworks for the naming of taxa are a fundamental underpinning of biological research. These Codes themselves require systems that govern their administration, interpretation and emendment. Here we review the provisions that have been made for the governance of the recently introduced Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes Described from Sequence Data (SeqCode), which provides a nomenclatural framework for the valid publication of names of Archaea and Bacteria using isolate genome, metagenome-assembled genome or single-amplified genome sequences as type material. The administrative structures supporting the SeqCode are designed to be open and inclusive. Direction is provided by the SeqCode Community, which we encourage those with an interest in prokaryotic systematics to join.

Is the bacterial genus name Rhodococcus Zopf 1891 illegitimate? Request for an Opinion.

In 2014, it was reported that the bacterial genus name Rhodococcus Zopf 1891 was illegitimate due to the priority of the cyanobacterial genus name Rhodococcus Hansgirg 1884. Since that time, the consequences of this conclusion have been largely ignored, whilst changes have been made to relevant Rules of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, including significant changes to the way in which the Code treats the names of members of Cyanobacteriota. Given the complexity of the nomenclatural issues, we request the opinion of the Judicial Commission of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes as to whether the genus name Rhodococcus Zopf 1891 (Approved Lists 1980) is illegitimate.

A stable home for an equine pathogen: valid publication of the binomial Prescottella equi gen. nov., comb. nov., and reclassification of four rhodococcal species into the genus Prescottella.

Opinion 106 of the Judicial Commission has clarified the nomenclature of the taxon variously named Rhodococcus equi, 'Prescottella equi' and Rhodococcus hoagii. As a consequence, we present here the genus name Prescottella and that of its nomenclatural type species, Prescottella equi comb. nov., for valid publication and propose the reclassification of four rhodococcal species as novel combinations in the genus, namely Prescottella agglutinans Guo et al. 2015 comb. nov., Prescottella defluvii Kämpfer et al. 2014 comb. nov., Prescottella soli Li et al. 2015 comb. nov. and Prescottella subtropica Lee et al. 2019 comb. nov. In addition, we note that a clinical isolate, strain 86-07 (=W8901), likely represents an additional species within the genus Prescottella. Nearly a century after the original description of the type strain of the type species as Corynebacterium equi, we provide a stable home for Prescottella equi and its relatives.

SeqCode: a nomenclatural code for prokaryotes described from sequence data.

Most prokaryotes are not available as pure cultures and therefore ineligible for naming under the rules and recommendations of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP). Here we summarize the development of the SeqCode, a code of nomenclature under which genome sequences serve as nomenclatural types. This code enables valid publication of names of prokaryotes based upon isolate genome, metagenome-assembled genome or single-amplified genome sequences. Otherwise, it is similar to the ICNP with regard to the formation of names and rules of priority. It operates through the SeqCode Registry ( https://seqco.de/ ), a registration portal through which names and nomenclatural types are registered, validated and linked to metadata. We describe the two paths currently available within SeqCode to register and validate names, including Candidatus names, and provide examples for both. Recommendations on minimal standards for DNA sequences are provided. Thus, the SeqCode provides a reproducible and objective framework for the nomenclature of all prokaryotes regardless of cultivability and facilitates communication across microbiological disciplines.

Proposals to emend Rules 8, 15, 22, 25a, 30(3)(b), 30(4), 34a, and Appendix 7 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.

To complete the ongoing revision of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, we here propose emendation of Rules 8, 15, 22, 25a, 30(3)(b), 30(4), 34a and Appendix 7. These proposed emendations deal with: the nomenclatural type of taxa above genus; the suitability of names published in supplementary material or in papers published on e-print servers for effective publication; the number of culture collection designations to be included in an effective publication of a name of a species or subspecies to qualify for validation of the name; the kinds of restrictions that may be attached to deposits of type strains; and the question whether elevation of a subspecies to the rank of species or lowering of a species to the rank of subspecies establish new combinations. Some of these emendations change the meaning of the Code while others are mere textual clarifications.

Emendation of General Consideration 5 and Rules 18a, 24a and 30 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes to resolve the status of the Cyanobacteria in the prokaryotic nomenclature.

Following the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes electronic discussion and vote on proposals to resolve the status of the Cyanobacteria in the prokaryotic nomenclature, we announce here the results of the ballot. We also present the emended versions of General Consideration 5 and Rules 18a, 24a and 30, based on the outcome of the ballot, to be included in the new revision of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.

Public discussion on a proposed revision of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.

The Editorial Board for the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) has compiled proposed revisions of the ICNP. As outlined previously (Oren et al., Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021;71:004598; https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.004598) and to comply with Articles 13(b)(4) and 4(d) of the statutes of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes, a public discussion of the document will start on 1 July 2021, to last for 6 months. Here, we present the procedure for this discussion.

Emendation of Rules 5b, 8, 15 and 22 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes to include the rank of phylum.

Following the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes electronic discussion and vote on proposals to include the rank of phylum in the rules of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, we here announce the results of the ballot. We also present draft versions of the emended Rules 5b, 8, 15 and 22, based on the outcome of the ballot, to be included in the proposal for the preparation of a new revision of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.

The International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology moves to 'true continuous publication' at the beginning of 2021: Proposals to emend Rule 24b (2), Note 1 to Rule 27 and Note 2 to Rule 33b of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.

The International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (IJSEM) will move to 'true continuous publication' during the first months of 2021 to modernize the workflow and align it with the current online-only nature of the journal. In the new format, articles will be cited using an article number rather than page numbering. The article number will be the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) suffix, i.e., the last six digits of the DOI. Benefits of the new system include streamlining in-house processes, hence, reducing time and costs, and speeding up the publication time of the final 'Version of Record'. Because of the new format of the IJSEM, it is necessary to emend Rule 24b (2) and Note 1 paragraph 3 of Rule 27 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) to regulate matters of priority for papers published after January 2021. We also propose adding another example to Note 2 of Rule 33b to clarify how nomenclatural authorities of names published in the IJSEM from 2021 onward must be cited.

Phylogenomic Reappraisal of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis, Mycolic Acid Biosynthesis and Clinical Relevance Among Members of the Genus Corynebacterium.

The genus Corynebacterium encompasses many species of biotechnological, medical or veterinary significance. An important characteristic of this genus is the presence of mycolic acids in their cell envelopes, which form the basis of a protective outer membrane (mycomembrane). Mycolic acids in the cell envelope of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been associated with virulence. In this study, we have analysed the genomes of 140 corynebacterial strains, including representatives of 126 different species. More than 50% of these strains were isolated from clinical material from humans or animals, highlighting the true scale of pathogenic potential within the genus. Phylogenomically, these species are very diverse and have been organised into 19 groups and 30 singleton strains. We find that a substantial number of corynebacteria lack FAS-I, i.e., have no capability for de novo fatty acid biosynthesis and must obtain fatty acids from their habitat; this appears to explain the well-known lipophilic phenotype of some species. In most species, key genes associated with the condensation and maturation of mycolic acids are present, consistent with the reports of mycolic acids in their species descriptions. Conversely, species reported to lack mycolic acids lacked these key genes. Interestingly, Corynebacterium ciconiae, which is reported to lack mycolic acids, appears to possess all genes required for mycolic acid biosynthesis. We suggest that although a mycolic acid-based mycomembrane is widely considered to be the target for interventions by the immune system and chemotherapeutics, the structure is not essential in corynebacteria and is not a prerequisite for pathogenicity or colonisation of animal hosts.

Preparing a revision of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.

The Editorial Board of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes here explains the proposed procedure towards the production of the next revision of the Prokaryotic Code, to include public discussion of a draft version, to be prepared by the editors, followed by balloting of the members of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes.

The van Niel International Prize for Studies in Bacterial Systematics, awarded in 2020 to Tanja Woyke.

The Senate of The University of Queensland, on the recommendation of the Executive Board of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes, is pleased to present the van Niel International Prize for Studies in Bacterial Systematics for the triennium 2017-2020 to Dr Tanja Woyke in recognition of her contributions made to the field of bacterial systematics. The award, established in 1986 by Professor V. B. D. Skerman of The University of Queensland, honours the contribution of scholarship in the field of microbiology by Professor Cornelis Bernardus van Niel.