Rejection of Mycobacterium aquae. Request for an Opinion

The name Mycobacterium aquae has been used since 1922, but for much of this time there has been disagreement as to the nature of the taxon referred to by this name. Recently, it has been used to refer to what is otherwise designated as M. gordonae Bojalil, Cerbón, and Trujillo, 1962. However, confusion surrounding the name M. aquae continues, and any of four different taxa may be indicated by this name. The Subcommittee on Mycobacteria of the ICSB strongly favors rejection of the name M. aquae. The name M. gordonae, having definite reference, should be conserved and M. aquae, having ambiguous reference, should be rejected.