New species need characters: comments on recently described apicomplexan parasites from Australia.

Screening of ticks from companion animals from Australia using genetic tools has recently been used to identify and name eight new species of Apicomplexan parasites. However, the diagnosis of these was based on genetic distinctiveness and phylogenetic relationships rather than determination of specific characters, which is required by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The recently proposed names are therefore invalid. The use of informal names is necessary until formal valid descriptions are available.