Taxonomic Note: Necessary Correction of Specific Epithets Formed as Substantives (Nouns) “in Apposition”

Abstract

Forming Latin species names (specific epithets) as “nominative nouns in apposition” (according to Rule 12c of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria) has often been misunderstood or posed problems. Here, this grammatical construction is explained, and 24 cases that did not meet the requirements for this type of construction are corrected to a genitive noun or adjectival form in agreement with Rule 12c.