The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes has now been published

11 January 2019

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology has recently published The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP), an update of the 1990 Revision of the Bacteriological Code.

Here, we look back at the history of the Code.

In the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, bacteriologists tried to follow the provisions of the Botanical Code of Nomenclature. However, it was apparent that rules in botany did not fit too well with the needs of bacteriologists and it was decided that bacteriology should establish its own Code of Nomenclature. Below is a brief timeline of events that have led to the recent publication of The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.

1936 - A draft Code was presented at the Second Congress in London and placed under the care of the International Committee for Bacteriological Nomenclature, today known as the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSB). Following this Congress, there was further drafting and included a provision for a Judicial Commission to regulate Rules, a provision that still exists today.

1958 - The first edition of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria and Viruses was published and a journal for bacterial nomenclature was started, the International Bulletin of Bacterial Nomenclature and Taxonomy, later known as International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology (IJSB) and now known as the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (IJSEM). The nomenclature of viruses was later transferred and is now under the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).

1980 - A new start for nomenclature of bacteria was made after it became clear that the traditional starting date for plant names of Linnaeus in 1753 was unrealistic for the naming of bacteria. Lists were made of names that could be satisfactorily associated with known bacteria, and these formed the foundation document, the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names. All new names had to be published in IJSB (now IJSEM) either by being described there, or, if described elsewhere, by placing them there in Validation Lists. This meant that all bacterial names could be found in a single journal, which has proved a great advantage for bacterial taxonomy.

The Code was completely rewritten to make it easier to follow.

1992 - Revised edition of the Code, the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria published based on 1990 Revision.

2018 - The updated Code published and given a new name to reflect the fact that it governs a larger group of organisms other than Bacteria and is now known as The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.

Visit the journals website to read The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP).

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