Virus taxonomy and classification: naming of virus species
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VIROLOGY DIVISION NEWS
Virus taxonomy and classification: naming of virus species Roger Hull1,2 · Bert Rima3
© Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Virus classification arranges viruses showing similar properties into groups and, even though this depends on choices of which specific properties have a value for classification, it does have certain important features. It aims to give a structured arrangement of viruses so that the human mind can comprehend them more easily. It helps with communication between virologists, and between virologists and non-virologists (e.g. regulators, advisers, other stakeholders etc.). It enables properties of new viruses to be predicted, and it could reveal possible evolutionary relationships. We need appropriate unambiguous names for virus species, which is the keystone taxon, howsoever these are defined. We react to the recent consultation paper [1] and suggest that, before deciding on a binomial (Latinized or non-Latinized) system for virus species names, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses develops a 21st century virus classification system that handles the large numbers of new virus species expected from metagenomic studies. This system should be user-friendly for easy communication, especially between virologists and non-virologist stakeholders.
Introduction Humans have an innate desire to name and classify, and the classification of any object is a totally artificial and human-driven activity without a natural base. But why do we classify anything, natural objects, books etc.? It gives an accepted name of each object and a structured arrangement of the objects which enables the human mind to comprehend them more easily. Although classification systems can be traced back to Plato and Aristotle, most of the classification of natural organisms is based on that of Linnaeus published in 1735 in Systema Naturae. This proposed a taxonomical structure of natural objects, giving them binomial names and hierarchical arrangement.
Handling Editor: Sead Sabanadzovic. * Bert Rima [email protected] Roger Hull [email protected] 1
John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, England, UK
2
Present Address: Portman Drive, Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, Dorset, England, UK
3
Wellcome‑Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Virologists are no exception to this innate desire to classify. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) was charged with organising the taxonomy of viruses. Its Statutes include statements that the objects of the Committee shall be for the public benefit and, in particular, to advance education in the taxonomy of viruses, and to achieve the objectives that are described by Siddell et al. [1]. In the last rounds of discussion at the ICTV, the potential to classify a virus has been expanded to include those “viruses” for which the only known attribute is its RNA or DNA sequence [2]. Thus, computer-generated sequences which,
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