Dear ICTV community,

There is a distinction drawn in the ICTV code between  "valid names" and "accepted names".

Valid names are those that are published and comply with the rules outlined in the code, while accepted names are those valid names that have been added to the Index.

My question is what is the correct way of introducing new names in a publication for them to be considered valid, assuming they are formed and used according to the Rules. Should they be introduced e.g. as simply: "new genus Xxxxxvirus" or should they be supplied with an explicit "tax.nov.": "Xxxxxvirus gen. nov." Are quotation marks needed around names indicating that they are not yet accepted: "new genus 'Xxxxxvirus'"? Should there be any other indication that they are not yet accepted? What is the time frame for submitting a formal proposal for the inclusion of a valid name in the Index? Can a proposal be submitted before the new name appears in print?

Thanks in advance!

Hello,

As you have seen, the ICTV International Code of Virus Classification and Nomenclature (ICVCN) Section 3.8 (https://ictv.global/about/code) mentions both "valid names" and "accepted names". And I would agree that the provided definitions and discussion are a bit obtuse and provide little help in understanding the difference between these types of names  and their usage.

The process of formally creating and naming a new taxon (or changing an existing taxon) consists of the following:

  1. The creation or renaming of a taxon begins with the submission of a taxonomy proposal to the Executive Committee (EC) of the ICTV;
  2. The names of the proposed taxa must conform to the official nomenclature guidelines as published in the ICVCN;
  3. The new or changed taxa must be approved by a vote of the EC;
  4. And finally, the approved taxonomic proposals must be ratified by the membership of the ICTV.

As currently used, a "valid name" and an "accepted name" describe the same thing, with no real difference between the two. A valid or accepted name is a name that conforms to the guidelines published in the ICVCN, has been approved by the EC, and has been ratified by the membership. The "index" of valid/accepted names mentioned in the code is contained in the Master Species List - MSL, that can be downloaded from this web site (https://ictv.global/msl). These names are also provided within the taxonomy browser (https://ictv.global/taxonomy).

I hope this clears up any confusion.

Best,

Elliot
_______________________________________________________________________

Elliot J. Lefkowitz, Ph.D. | Professor
Department of Microbiology | https://scholars.uab.edu/display/elliotl
UAB | The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Data Secretary | International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses | https://ictv.global/

Mon, 10/10/2022 - 16:24
Elliot Lefkowitz