A taxonomic note on the authorship and date of valid publication of Rhodococcus sputi

Summary auto-generated

This taxonomic note clarifies the authorship and valid publication date of Rhodococcus sputi, a bacterial species. The authors resolve confusion arising from the species being attributed to either Tsukamura (1978) or Tsukamura and Yano (1985). DNA-DNA binding studies show that R. sputi, R. obuensis, and R. chubuensis are subjective synonyms now classified in the genus Gordonia. The key issue concerns whether R. sputi Tsukamura 1978 was validly included in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names. According to the Bacteriological Code, names validly published between 1978 and 1980 should have been included, even though the original 1980 list omitted it. The authors conclude that R. sputi Tsukamura 1978 must be treated as officially approved and thus has priority over the 1985 revival. The 1985 name R. sputi (ex Tsukamura 1978) Tsukamura and Yano 1985 is deemed illegitimate under the Bacteriological Code. This clarification affects the correct nomenclature of the unified taxon now known as Gordonia sputi.

Key findings

R. sputi Tsukamura 1978 should be treated as validly published and included in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names, giving it nomenclatural priority
The 1985 revival designation R. sputi (ex Tsukamura 1978) Tsukamura and Yano 1985 is illegitimate and violates the Bacteriological Code
DNA-DNA binding data confirm that R. sputi, R. obuensis, and R. chubuensis are the same species, now classified as Gordonia sputi
Clarification of these nomenclatural issues is necessary for updating official bacterial name databases and approved lists

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Abstract

Authorship of the name Rhodococcus sputi is variously attributed to Tsukamura 1978 or Tsukamura and Yano 1985. DNA--DNA binding data indicate that this species and Rhodococcus obuensis Tsukamura 1983 and Rhodococcus chubuensis Tsukamura 1983 are subjective (heterotypic) synonyms. Although these organisms have been placed in the genus Gordonia as Gordonia sputi, the correct name of the taxon created by unification of these three species is directly affected by the date of valid publication of these species as members of the genus Rhodococcus. Thus, the name R. sputi only has priority if the authorship is attributed to Tsukamura 1978. The question of authorship and priority is clarified in the present work.