Minimal Standards
Introduction: Minimal standards for the description of new taxa
See the glossary entry on minimal standards for details, as well as Appendix 6 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (2008 revision), Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2019; 69:S1-S111. A list of published minimal standards is provided below together with associated publications and assorted by the group of organisms to which each one applies. Note that more recently published proposals for minimal standards may supersede older proposals.
Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2009; 59:2114-2121. Note: The proposals have been endorsed by the Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of the Genus Bacillus and Related Organisms of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes. The scope of organisms has also been described as "aerobic, endospore-forming bacteria". Affected taxa: Bacillaceae, Bacillus.
Halobacteriaceae
Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2008; 58:2465-2467. Note: On 7 August 2008, the subcommittee on the taxonomy of Halobacteriaceae discussed whether any changes in the Recommended Minimal Standards document are necessary at present. It was recommended that the current recommendation for PCR amplification of 16S rRNA genes followed by sequencing of the product should be replaced by cloning and sequencing of a number of 16S rRNA gene clones, this is in view of the presence of multiple copies of the gene with different sequences in many members of the family. No need was felt for additional changes to the Recommended Minimal Standards. Affected taxa: Halobacteriaceae, Halobacteriales.
Int J Syst Bacteriol 1995; 45:605-612. Note: R.F. Whitcomb (Chair), J.G. Tully (Secretary), J.M. Bové, J.M. Badbury, G. Christiansen, I. Kahane, B.C. Kirkpatrick, F. Laigret, R.H. Leach, H.C. Neimark, J.D. Pollack, S. Razin, B.B. Sears, and D. Taylor-Robinson. Affected taxa: Mollicutes.
Int J Syst Bacteriol 1979; 29:172-180. Note: E.A. Freundt (Chairman), R.F. Whitcomb (Secretary), M.F. Barile, J.M. Bové, G.S. Cottew, H. Ernø, R. Lemcke, J. Maniloff, H. Neimark, S. Razin, D. Taylor-Robinson, J.G. Tully and P. Whittlestone. Affected taxa: Mollicutes.
Pasteurellaceae
Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2007; 57:166-178. Note: Former member of the ICSP Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Pasteurellaceae Mogens Kilian and present members Patrick Blackall, Robert Davies, Olivier Gaillot, Thomas Inzana, Reinier Mutters and Niels Nørskov-Lauritsen, although not co-authors of the paper, taked part in these minimal standards. Affected taxa: Pasteurellaceae.
Photosynthetic prokaryotes
Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2004; 54:1415-1421. Note: The recommended standards were supported by the Subcommittee on the taxonomy of photosynthetic prokaryotes of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes.
Staphylococci and Streptococci
Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2003; 53:915-917. Note: According to the "Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Staphylococci and Streptococci" some of the recommendations stated in the "Recommended minimal standards" are possibly impractical in certain cases, particularly the requirement for peptidoglycan types. Affected taxa: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus.