The type species of the genus Salmonella Lignieres 1900 is Salmonella enterica (ex Kauffmann and Edwards 1952) Le Minor and Popoff 1987, with the type strain LT2T, and conservation of the epithet enterica in Salmonella enterica over all earlier epithets that may be applied to this species. Opinion 80

The Judicial Commission of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes officially designated Salmonella enterica as the type species of the genus Salmonella, replacing the previous type species Salmonella choleraesuis. The type strain is LT2, also known by multiple catalog designations including CIP 60.62T and ATCC 43971T. This nomenclatural decision automatically creates new subspecies classifications: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (the nominate subspecies) and five other established subspecies (arizonae, bongori, diarizonae, houtenae, indica, and salamae), each with designated type strains. The epithet "enterica" is conserved over all earlier epithets that could apply to this species. The Commission based this decision on a request by Euzéby in 1999, while carefully considering arguments from other researchers. The decision clarifies that the nomenclatural authority does not extend to taxonomic matters, though the nomenclatural changes have significant taxonomic consequences for Salmonella classification and identification.

Key findings

• Salmonella enterica (strain LT2) is officially designated as the type species of genus Salmonella, replacing Salmonella choleraesuis
• The epithet 'enterica' is conserved over all earlier epithets applicable to this species
• Six subspecies of Salmonella enterica are formally established with specific type strains and catalog designations
• The Judicial Commission clarified that nomenclatural decisions do not constitute taxonomic authority, though nomenclatural changes have taxonomic consequences