The modern Latin word rhabdus belongs to the feminine gender, inducing necessary corrections according to Rules 65(2), 12c(1) and 13b of the Bacteriological Code (1990 Revision).

This taxonomic note addresses grammatical corrections to bacterial nomenclature based on the Bacteriological Code. The authors identify that the modern Latin word rhabdus, derived from the Greek noun rhabdos (meaning rod), is feminine in gender. According to Rules 65(2), 12c(1), and 13b of the Bacteriological Code, six bacterial genera ending in -rhabdus must be corrected to reflect feminine gender: Anaerorhabdus, Desulforhabdus, Halorhabdus, Methylorhabdus, Thermodesulforhabdus, and Xenorhabdus. Consequently, nine specific and subspecific epithets of these genera must be changed from masculine to feminine forms to achieve grammatical agreement. For example, Anaerorhabdus furcosus becomes Anaerorhabdus furcosa, and Xenorhabdus nematophilus becomes Xenorhabdus nematophila. The authors recommend these corrections be implemented to maintain consistency with the Bacteriological Code and to prevent confusion when newly described species receive feminine epithets by default starting in 2000.

Key findings

• The Greek-derived word rhabdus is feminine in gender, requiring six bacterial genera ending in -rhabdus to be reclassified as feminine rather than masculine
• Nine specific and subspecific epithets in these genera must be changed to feminine forms to comply with Bacteriological Code rules requiring epithet gender agreement with generic names
• These nomenclatural corrections apply to Anaerorhabdus, Desulforhabdus, Halorhabdus, Methylorhabdus, Thermodesulforhabdus, and Xenorhabdus
• The corrections ensure consistency with Bacteriological Code standards implemented from January 1, 2000, preventing future mixed-gender naming within these genera