Request for an Opinion: conservation of the illegitimate prokaryotic generic name Proteus Hauser 1885 (Approved Lists 1980)

Abstract

The prokaryotic generic name Proteus Hauser 1885 (Approved Lists 1980) is a later homonym of the protozoan genus name Proteus Müller, 1786 and therefore should be considered illegitimate and in need of replacement according to Rules 51b(4) and 54 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. However, it would be unwelcome for medical and veterinary community to propose by anyone any replacement name and discontinue the current usage. To prevent from any unfavourable replacement, conservation of the illegitimate prokaryotic generic name Proteus Hauser 1885 (Approved Lists 1980) according to Rules 23a Note 4 and 56b is needed, and therefore, a request for conservation by the Judicial Commission over its earlier protozoan homonym is made here by the author, with Judicial Opinions 9 and 12 serving as precedents.