Revised minimum standards for valid publication of novel species within the class mollicutes

All proposed novel species must fulfill a minimum set of criteria in order to achieve acceptance as a taxonomically valid entity. These criteria are set by International Committee for the Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) subcommittees composed of specialists with expertise on specific taxa, in compliance with the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. Periodic revisions to these standards are critical so that novel taxa reflect current understandings of phylogeny and biology, and that accepted methodologies for characterization are updated as technology evolves. This is particularly important in the era of genomics, wherein both the tools and implications for findings evolve rapidly. The current minimum standards for valid publication of a novel species within the class Mollicutes (Phylum Mycoplasmatota) were published in 2007 and amended in 2012. The ICSP Subcommittee for the Taxonomy of Mollicutes have developed an updated set of six standards requiring authors to report characteristics that will streamline understanding of the phylogeny and biology of novel species, recommend phenotypic evaluations that are diagnostically useful, and ensure compliance with the Nagoya Protocol. The proposed minimum standards require deposition of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence and a reference genome sequence into major databases, description of cellular morphology, characterization of growth conditions, description of the isolation source and date, and deposition into two WFCC-registered culture collections, one of which must distribute cultures internationally. The majority of the committee are in agreement with these criteria and we are seeking wider opinion from the Mollicute community prior to publication and ratification.