- Volume 75, Issue 1, 2025

Yeast strains representing a novel asexual ascomycetous species were isolated from seven Malva sylvestris flowers. Sequencing of the chromosomal regions coding for the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit ribosomal RNA, the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 segments and parts of the gene coding for the small subunit ribosomal RNA showed that the isolates were conspecific. Comparative analysis of these sequences and the corresponding sequences of the type strains of ascomycetous yeasts revealed that the strains represent a hitherto undescribed species belonging to the sensu stricto subclade of the genus Starmerella. The new species is osmotolerant and can develop invasive pseudohyphae, but does not form spores. For the new species, the name Starmerella aleppica f.a. (forma asexualis) is proposed. The holotype, preserved in a metabolically inactive state, is CBS 12960T (extype cultures: 2-1361 and CCY 90-2-1, NCAIM Y.02123). The GenBank accession numbers of barcode sequences are JX515983 (D1/D2 domain), JX515985 (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and partial 18S rRNA gene), PQ613837 (TEF1 partial sequence) and PQ613838 (RPB2 partial sequence). MycoBank: MB855459. The analysis of the D1/D2 and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of the type strains of species of the genus identified multiple multinucleotide indels that can be used as taxonomic markers (InDel markers). The indel patterns of the subclades are very different and homogeneous within the subclades. This result reinforces the idea raised, but also refuted, in previous studies that the Starmerella subclades may represent different genera.

Two novel yeast strains, NYNU 236247 and NYNU 23523, were isolated from the leaves of Carpinus turczaninowii Hance, collected in the Tianchi Mountain National Forest Park, Henan Province, central China. Phylogenetic analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed the closest relatives of the strains are three described Pseudobensingtonia species: Ps. fusiformis, Ps. musae and Ps. ingoldii. The novel species differed from the type strains of these three species by 12 to 22 nucleotide substitutions and 1 gap (~2.0–4.0%) in the D1/D2 domain and by 78 to 100 nucleotide mismatches (~12.0–16%) in the ITS region. Physiologically, the novel species differs from Ps. fusiformis and Ps. musae in its ability to assimilate dl-lactate and melezitose and from Ps. ingoldii by its inability to assimilate melibiose, soluble starch and ethanol. Pseudobensingtonia carpini sp. nov. is proposed for those two strains, with the holotype designated as GDMCC 2.483T (MycoBank MB 857072).

Two strains of Stachybotrys, identified based on morphology and phylogenetic analysis, were isolated from rocky desertification soils in Yunnan province. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from three loci (the internal transcribed spacer of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene, β-tubulin and RNA polymerase II second-largest subunit) showed that the two strains formed a single clade and were introduced as a new species of Stachybotrys, S. qujingensis. S. qujingensis is characterized by having ampulliform or broadly fusiform conidiogenous cells and dark olivaceous-green, oblong-ellipsoidal conidia. Phylogenetically, S. qujingensis is most closely related to S. musae, but it distinguishes the latter by longer and narrower conidia. Descriptions, illustrations and phylogenetic placement of S. qujingensis were provided.

Small, obligately anaerobic strains 13CB8CT, 13CB11CT, 13CB18CT and 13GAM1GT were isolated from a faecal sample in a patient with Parkinson’s disease with a history of duodenal resection. After conducting a comprehensive polyphasic taxonomic analysis including genomic analysis, we propose the establishment of one new genus and four new species. The novel bacteria are Desulfovibrio falkowii sp. nov. (type strain JCM 36128T = DSM 116810T), Porphyromonas miyakawae sp. nov. (type strain JCM 36129T = DSM 116947T), Mediterraneibacter flintii sp. nov. (type strain JCM 36130T = DSM 116866T) and Owariibacterium komagatae gen. nov. sp. nov. (type strain JCM 36131T = DSM 116982T), respectively.

A hybrid in-person and online open plenary meeting of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) was held on 22 October 2024 at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy, and via Teams just prior to the IUMS 2024 Congress. To comply with Articles 4(d) and 5(d) (1) of the statutes of the ICSP, the minutes of this meeting are published here.

Following a proposal to emend Recommendation 6(7), Rule 64 and Appendix 9, Section D of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes to regulate the formation of prokaryote names from personal names, I hereby report the outcome of the ballot on this proposal by the members of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes.

Following a proposal for further integration of Candidatus names into the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, I here report the outcome of the ballot on this proposal by the members of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes.

In 1997, the name Skermania piniformis (Blackall et al. 1989) comb. nov. was proposed by Chun et al. on transfer of the species Nocardia pinensis to the newly established genus Skermania as its type species. The appearance of the epithet in S. piniformis was quite different from that in its basonym N. pinensis. This could be seen, at first glance, as an unnecessary epithet change that may render S. piniformis and its generic name Skermania illegitimate according to the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP). But in this paper, the author argues that for this particular case, ‘pinensis’ and ‘piniformis’ are better treated as different spellings of the same epithet. And if so, the change from ‘pinensis’ to ‘piniformis’ will not give rise to a case of illegitimacy under Rule 41a of the ICNP. Several possible counterarguments are discussed, which are shown to be based on a misinterpretation of the ICNP, particularly in relation to Rule 20a. As this is a non-trivial issue, the author requests a final decision by the Judicial Commission according to Rule 58 of the ICNP. An additional request for clarifying Rule 54 is also made.

The editorial Board of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) – the Prokaryotic Code – has compiled already ratified proposed emendations of the ICNP, together with additional editorial changes and clarifications. These were implemented in a draft 2025 revision of the Prokaryotic Code. To comply with Articles 13(b)(4) and 4(d) of the statutes of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP), a public discussion of the document will start on 1 January (or later if required) 2025, to last for 6 months. Here, we present the basis for the revision and the procedure for the discussion. The discussion will be followed by the balloting of the ICSP members.

Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Chlamydiae: minutes of the closed meeting, Zoom meeting, 24 September 2024.