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The current status of cyanobacterial nomenclature under the “prokaryotic” and the “botanical” code

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Abstract

Cyanobacterial taxonomy developed in the botanical world because Cyanobacteria/Cyanophyta have traditionally been identified as algae. However, they possess a prokaryotic cell structure, and phylogenetically they belong to the Bacteria. This caused nomenclature problems as the provisions of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN; the “Botanical Code”) differ from those of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP; the “Prokaryotic Code”). While the ICN recognises names validly published under the ICNP, Article 45(1) of the ICN has not yet been reciprocated in the ICNP. Different solutions have been proposed to solve the current problems. In 2012 a Special Committee on the harmonisation of the nomenclature of Cyanobacteria was appointed, but its activity has been minimal. Two opposing proposals to regulate cyanobacterial nomenclature were recently submitted, one calling for deletion of the cyanobacteria from the groups of organisms whose nomenclature is regulated by the ICNP, the second to consistently apply the rules of the ICNP to all cyanobacteria. Following a general overview of the current status of cyanobacterial nomenclature under the two codes we present five case studies of genera for which nomenclatural aspects have been discussed in recent years: Microcystis, Planktothrix, Halothece, Gloeobacter and Nostoc.

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Abbreviations

ICN:

International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (including earlier versions known as the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, ICBN)

ICNP:

International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (including earlier versions known as the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria, ICNB)

ICSP:

International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (including the earlier name International Committee on Systematic Bacteriology)

IJSEM:

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (including the earlier name International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology, IJSB)

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  1. The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel

    Aharon Oren

  2. National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Ecosystem Study, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

    Stefano Ventura

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  1. Aharon Oren
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  2. Stefano Ventura
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Oren, A., Ventura, S. The current status of cyanobacterial nomenclature under the “prokaryotic” and the “botanical” code. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 110, 1257–1269 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-017-0848-0

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