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Naming Aspergillus species: progress towards one name for each species

David L Hawksworth1

  • 1Departamento de Biología Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. d.hawksworth@nhm.ac.uk

Medical Mycology
|August 20, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Fungal nomenclature rules allow separate names for different fungal life stages, causing confusion. Current scientific consensus favors simplifying these rules to improve clarity in fungal classification.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Botanical Nomenclature
  • Fungal Taxonomy

Background:

  • The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature governs fungal naming, with historical provisions allowing separate names for fungi with sexual and asexual states (pleomorphic fungi).
  • Prior to 1981, inconsistent application of these rules led to complexity, with significant name changes occurring in genera like Aspergillus after 1981 simplifications.
  • Advancements in molecular data now enable accurate phylogenetic placement irrespective of reproductive state, challenging the need for distinct names.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the ongoing debate and confusion surrounding the nomenclature of pleomorphic fungi.
  • To evaluate the impact of molecular data on traditional fungal naming conventions.
  • To propose a path forward for revising the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature regarding pleomorphic fungi.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical and current International Code of Botanical Nomenclature provisions.
  • Analysis of the impact of molecular phylogenetic data on fungal classification.
  • Examination of consensus among mycologists regarding naming conventions for pleomorphic fungi.

Main Results:

  • A historical allowance for separate names for different fungal life stages has led to taxonomic complications.
  • Molecular data provides a unified view of fungal phylogeny, irrespective of reproductive structures.
  • A significant shift in scientific opinion is emerging, advocating for the removal or amendment of rules permitting dual nomenclature for pleomorphic fungi.

Conclusions:

  • The current system of permitting separate names for different states of pleomorphic fungi is increasingly seen as outdated and confusing.
  • A consensus is growing to revise fungal nomenclature rules to reflect phylogenetic understanding derived from molecular data.
  • Mycologists are urged to refrain from introducing or using new names for additional states of known species to minimize current taxonomic instability.

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