Names above the rank of genus; the radical approach.

The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes currently caters for the names of ranks from class to subspecies. The form of names and their typification is dealt with under Rules 7-22. The nature of names at different ranks has a direct influence on the structure of the Code. However, with minor changes it is possible to simplify the structure and the links between names and their nomenclatural types, even if the proposed solution may cause some changes that create a degree of upheaval in the short term.