On requests for validation of names published in electronic material that does not provide a permanent record.

The validation of the name of a prokaryotic taxon under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) is occasionally attempted although the original proposal of the name does not meet all requirements. The publication of a corrigendum is necessary in such a case but authors must ensure that the corrigendum contains the full description of the respective taxon. The modification of the original article is not compatible with the ICNP. One requirement for valid publication is that the effective publication of a taxon name constitutes a permanent record. Journals which modify articles after publication are not acceptable as a source of effective publications.