This document announces the valid publication of 11 new bacterial names and combinations (List No. 46) according to the International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology's validation procedure. The validated names include three new genera (Balneatrix, Chelatobacter, and Desulfirella) and eight new bacterial species, plus one new combination. Examples include Balneatrix alpica, associated with pneumonia and meningitis; Chelatobacter heintzii and Chelatococcus asaccharovorans, which utilize nitrilotriacetate; Cytophaga xylanolytica, a xylan-degrading anaerobic bacterium; and several Streptomyces species. The article clarifies that valid publication date is the date of this list, not the original publication date. The document emphasizes that inclusion on this list validates names for bacteriological nomenclature but does not constitute taxonomic acceptance of the organisms. Names may later be identified as synonyms or organisms reclassified to different genera, requiring new combinations. Each validated name includes reference strain numbers from established culture collections such as ATCC, DSM, and IFO.

Key findings

• Eleven new bacterial names and combinations were validly published in this announcement, including three new genera (Balneatrix, Chelatobacter, Desulfirella) and eight new species.
• Valid publication date is established as the date of the IJSB validation list, not the date of original publication in other journals.
• Validation of a name does not imply taxonomic acceptance and does not prevent future reclassification or synonymization of the organisms.
• Validated organisms include species with notable properties such as xylan-degradation, nitrilotriacetate utilization, thermophilic sulfur-reduction, and food spoilage potential.