Addressing the sublime scale of the microbial world: reconciling an appreciation of microbial diversity with the need to describe species

Sutcliffe, I.C., Rosselló-Móra, R. and Trujillo, M.E. (2021) Addressing the sublime scale of the microbial world: reconciling an appreciation of microbial diversity with the need to describe species. New Microbes and New Infections, 43. p. 100931. ISSN 2052-2975

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmni.2021.100931

Abstract

There are fewer than 20,000 prokaryotic species with validly published names, meaning >99% of a reasonable estimate of microbial diversity remains formally unnamed. Here we explore the damaging consequences of the current practice in which each new species is described in a standardized publication, most typically a 'single strain species description'. This approach is both an impediment to scaling up progress in naming the microbial world and also a significant factor in the poor reputation of the discipline of microbial taxonomy. We conclude that significant changes in author habits are needed and make constructive suggestions as to how author practice should adapt.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: microbial culture, microbial diversity, phylogenomics, systematics, taxonomy
Subjects: C500 Microbiology
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Applied Sciences
Depositing User: John Coen
Date Deposited: 21 Sep 2021 10:16
Last Modified: 21 Sep 2021 10:30
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/47300

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