Confirmation of strain VKM B-1733 as the type strain of Halorubrum distributum

In a recent paper, Zvyagintseva et al. (I. S. Zvyagintseva, E. B. Kudryashova, and E. S. Bulygina, Microbiology [Engl. Trans. Mikrohiologiyal 65:352-354, 1996) proposed that strain 4p, deposited as VKM B-1739, should be the new type strain of Halobacterium (Halorubrum) distributum. This strain is sufficiently different from the validated type strain (strain 1m [= VKM B- 17331]) to he classified in a different species. The proposed establishment of a neotype strain fur Halorubrum distributum while the originally designated type strain is extant is in conflict with Rule 18e of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria. To avoid all confusion, strain VKM B-1733 should remain the type strain of Halorubrum distributum, and a new species may be proposed to include VKM B-1739 and a number of related isolates.