Clarifying the definition and role of effective publication in the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes with proposals to make changes

The term effective publication and the adjectival form effectively published occur at numerous points in the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. As defined in Rule 25a the term refers to a form of publication rather than to names or descriptions. Although names are also defined as being effectively published, which is also defined as a status under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, such names are not automatically validly published and only validly published names can have a status under the Code. If one clearly separates the act of publication of scientific works from other elements of the Code then it is possible to clarify the workings of the Code whereby only names included in scientific works that are published in accordance with Rule 25a may have a status under the Code once they are validly published. Similarly names would then be validly published or not validly published, with the latter, irrespective of where they are found, having no status under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.