The importance of type species and their correct identification: A key example from tintinnid ciliates (Alveolata,Ciliophora, Spirotricha)

Types and the corresponding rules in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature are crucial for taxonomy and are meant to provide nomenclatural stability. In the case of neotypification, especially diligent taxonomic work is required to retain continuity. In the present communication, we first outline the main principles of typification and neotypification. We then discuss a critical case, using a current example from the marine planktonic tintinnid genus Tintinnopsis Stein, 1867 (Alveolata, Ciliophora). This diverse and ubiquitous genus is nonmonophyletic, but its revision and the erection of new related genera is currently prevented by the uncertain affiliation of its type species.     

Some comments on the classification of African vegetation

Abstract. Problems of naming African vegetation units are discussed, and related to the AETFAT vegetation scheme and other recent publications. Particularly, the distinction is emphasized between the terms forest and woodland, which are often considered synonyms. In other cases, no precise and ecologically meaningful definitions are presented, which leads to confusion and superfluous terms. More strict rules for the definition and application of vegetation terminology are proposed, and suggested as basic information to be given in vegetation literature.     

Taxonomic proposal for a deep branching bacterial phylogenetic lineage: transfer of the family Thermodesulfobiaceae to Thermodesulfobiales ord. nov., Thermodesulfobiia classis nov. and Thermodesulfobiota phyl. nov

The family Thermodesulfobiaceae, comprising one genus Thermodesulfobium with two validly published species, is currently assigned to order Thermoanaerobacterales within the class Clostridia of the phylum Bacillota. At the same time, the very first 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic studies of representatives of the genus pointed out great differences between Thermodesulfobium and other members of the phylum Bacillota. Subsequent studies of new Thermodesulfobium representatives supported deep phylogenetic branching of this lineage within bacterial tree, implying that it represents a novel phylum. The results of the phylogenomic analysis performed in the frames of the present work confirm previous findings and suggest that Thermodesulfobium represents a distinct phylum-level lineage. Thus, we propose the transfer of the family Thermodesulfobiaceae to the new order Thermodesulfobiales within the new class Thermodesulfobiia and the new phylum Thermodesulfobiota.     

Terminology and nomenclature of protist cell surface structures

Summary The use of a precise terminology is important to the unambiguous exchange of information in the multidisciplinary area of protistology. In this paper we attempt to establish clear definitions, give illustrations, and comment on the different terms used for cell surface structures of protists and related organisms.