"ORDNUNG IN DAS CHAOS" MIGULA

Abstract

Bacterial classifications based on morphology soon led to chaos, and a semblance of order was restored by using physiological characters. With the accumulation of knowledge chaos is raising its head again. Good classification depends on accurate characterization; standardized methods can help to make descriptions comparable and of more uniform value. Many descriptions need amplification and this could be provided by the expert sub-committees of the International Committee on Bacteriological Nomenclature. Classification must precede the naming of the bacteria, and much remains to be done in the realm of nomenclature. The year 1753 was fixed as the starting date; thus many names without adequate descriptions are in use today. It appears that Serratia marcescens was originally applied to a yeast and is thus not available as the name of a bacterium.Steps that might be taken to reduce nomenclatural chaos include the conservation of certain specific epithets and the selection of type strains; withholding recognition of species for which a type culture is not available; the registration of new names; and publication of newly described species in a limited number of recognized and official journals.