Current status and future perspectives of taxonomic subcommittees of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP)

Abstract

The statutes of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) describe one of the functions of taxonomic subcommittees as ‘to encourage and to undertake research on the relationships of the organisms in the taxa under study’ [1]. Arguably, this function alone is at the heart of all of the activities undertaken by every taxonomic subcommittee, the ICSP and indeed the Bacteriology and Applied Microbiology Division of the International Union of Microbiological Societies to which the ICSP reports. Without sound classifications, effective methods for identification and clear systems for nomenclature, the theory and practice of all microbiological study is dramatically and deleteriously impacted. Taxonomic subcommittees therefore have a key role to play in the appropriate definition of taxa and science communication to the wider community. In order to fulfil this role, subcommittees must be actively contributing to the field.