Dialogue on the nomenclature and classification of prokaryotes

Abstract

The application of next generation sequencing and molecular ecology to the systematics and taxonomy of prokaryotes offers enormous insights into prokaryotic biology. This discussion explores some major disagreements but also considers the opportunities associated with the nomenclature of the uncultured taxa, the use of genome sequences as type material, the plurality of the nomenclatural code, and the roles of an official or computer-assisted taxonomy.

Keywords: Bacteriological code; Candidatus; Nomenclature; Taxonomy; Type material.