On proposing new names and combinations

Many well-established names of bacterial taxa actually have no standing in nomenclature because the authors of the names did not clearly state that they were introducing new names or combinations at the time of publication. According to Rule 1 2c(3) of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria (1966), such names are not validly published. If these names are in common use and if it is desirable to retain them, they may either be conserved by official action of the International Committee on Nomenclature of Bacteria or be reintroduced into the literature by the same or different authors. By calling attention to this often neglected requirement for valid publication of names, it is hoped that in the future new names and combinations will be properly proposed and will not be a source of confusion.