BZN Volume 64, Part 4, 20 December 2007

Abstracts of Cases

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Abstracts of the Applications published on 20 December 2007 in Volume 64, Part 4 of the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature

Comment or advice on any of these Applications is invited for publication (subject to editing) in the Bulletin and should be sent to the Executive Secretary, International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, c/o The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K. (e-mail: iczn@nhm.ac.uk).

 

Case 3362

Phreatamoeba balamuthi Chàvez, Balamuth & Gong, 1986 (currently Mastigamoeba balamuthi; Protista, Pelobiontida): proposed conservation of the specific name

Giselle Walker
University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, U.K.
(e-mail: gw265@cam.ac.uk)

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the specific name Phreatamoeba balamuthi Chàvez, Balamuth & Gong, 1986 (currently Mastigamoeba balamuthi) for a free-living, polymorphic amoeba. The name Mastigamoeba balamuthi is widely used and almost universally accepted, but is threatened by its senior subjective synonym Mastigamoeba longifilum Stokes, 1886. No name-bearing types have been fixed for either species in the original publications. Lectotypes based on illustrations are designated here for Mastigamoeba longifilum Stokes, 1886, and Mastigamoeba balamuthi (Chàvez, Balamuth & Gong, 1986). In order to maintain the stable usage of M. balamuthi, it is proposed to conserve the specific name M. balamuthi (Chàvez, Balamuth & Gong, 1986) by suppressing M. longifilum Stokes, 1886.

Keywords. Nomenclature; taxonomy; Protista; Pelobiontida; Mastigamoeba;
Phreatamoeba; Mastigamoeba balamuthi; Mastigamoeba longifilum; pelobiont; mastigamoebid; flagellated amoeba.

 

Case 3405 (see Comments 65:3 and Opinion 2229)

Trigonostomum Schmidt, 1852 (Platyhelminthes, TRIGONOSTOMIDAE) and Trigonostomus Brenske, 1893 (Coleoptera, SCARABAEIDAE), proposed conservation of the generic names and proposed emendation of the current spelling of TRIGONOSTOMINA Ohaus, 1912 (Coleoptera, SCARABAEIDAE) to remove homonymy with TRIGONOSTOMIDAE Graff, 1905 (Platyhelminthes)

Wim R. Willems
Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology,
Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
(e-mail: wim.willems@nrm.se) (current address) &

Hasselt University, Research Group Biodiversity, Phylogeny and Population Studies, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Department of SBG, Campus Diepenbeek, Agoralaan building D, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
(e-mail: wim.willems@uhasselt.be)

Frank-Thorsten Krell
Department of Zoology, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205–5798, U.S.A.
(e-mail: Frank.Krell@dmns.org)

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Articles 23.4 and 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the widespread usage of the generic name Trigonostomum Schmidt, 1852 for a group of marine flatworms (family TRIGONOSTOMIDAE) and, under Articles 55 and 29 of the Code, to remove the homonymy between the chafer subtribe name TRIGONOSTOMINA Ohaus, 1912 (type genus Trigonostomum Burmeister, 1844; family SCARABAEIDAE) and the flatworm family name TRIGONOSTOMIDAE Graff, 1905 (type genus Trigonostomum Schmidt, 1852). The flatworm genus-group name Trigonostomum Schmidt, 1852 is threatened by the chafer name Trigonostomum Burmeister, 1844. It is proposed that Trigonostomum Burmeister, 1844 be suppressed, the incorrect subsequent spelling Trigonostomus Brenske, 1893 be deemed available as a substitute name for Trigonostomum Burmeister, 1844, and that the entire genus name should be adopted as the stem, so that the correct spelling of the chafer subtribe name will become TRIGONOSTOMUSINA Ohaus, 1912 to remove homonymy with Graff’s flatworm family name. Trigonostomum setigerum Schmidt, 1852 is herein designated as the type species of Hyporhynchus Graff, 1882 to make this genus-group name an objective junior synonym of Trigonostomum Schmidt, 1852 and HYPORHYNCHINAE Graff, 1882 an objective senior synonym of TRIGONOSTOMIDAE Graff, 1905. According to Article 23.9.2 of the Code it is herein declared that TRIGONOSTOMIDAE is the valid name and has
precedence over HYPORHYNCHINAE.

Keywords. Nomenclature; taxonomy; Platyhelminthes; Coleoptera; Rhabdocoela; TRIGONOSTOMIDAE; HYPORHYNCHINAE; SCARABAEIDAE; TRIGONOSTOMUSINA; Trigonostomum; Trigonostomus; Trigonostomum setigerum; Trigonostomus mucoreus; marine free-living flatworms; scarab beetles.

 

Case 3404 (see Opinion 2216)

Atlanta lesueurii Souleyet, 1852 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, PTEROTRACHEOIDEA, ATLANTIDAE): proposed conservation of the specific name

Arie W. Janssen
12, Triq tal’Hamrija, Xewkija XWK 9033, Gozo, Malta
(e-mail: ariewjanssen@waldonet.net.mt)

Roger R. Seapy
California State University, Fullerton, California, U.S.A.
(e-mail: rseapy@fullerton.edu)

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.5 of the Code, is to conserve the specific name of the heteropod Atlanta lesueurii Souleyet, 1852 (ATLANTIDAE), originally published as a primary homonym of the pteropod Atlanta lesueurii d’Orbigny, 1836 (currently Limacina lesueurii). Both names are in use and have not been considered congeneric since the 19th century. It is proposed to conserve the name Atlanta lesueurii Souleyet, 1852 by ruling that the name is not invalid by reason of its being a junior primary homonym.

Keywords. Nomenclature; taxonomy; Gastropoda, Heteropoda; Pteropoda; PTEROTRACHEOIDEA; ATLANTIDAE; LIMACINOIDEA, LIMACINIDAE; Atlanta; Limacina; Atlanta lesueurii; Limacina lesueurii; gastropods.

 

Case 3408 (see Opinion 2219)

Geophilus holstii Pocock, 1895 (currently Arrup holstii; Chilopoda, MECISTOCEPHALIDAE): replacement of the holotype by designation of a neotype

Marco Uliana, Lucio Bonato and Alessandro Minelli
Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58 B, I 35131 Padova, Italy (e-mail: marco.uliana@unipd.it; lucio.bonato@unipd.it; alessandro.minelli@unipd.it)

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Article 75.5 of the Code, is to replace the existing unidentifiable holotype of Geophilus holstii Pocock, 1895 (currently Arrup holstii) by a neotype. All body parts carrying useful diagnostic characters are missing in what remains of the holotype of Geophilus holstii. It is proposed to set the holotype aside and to designate a neotype.

Keywords. Nomenclature; taxonomy; Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha; MECISTOCEPHALIDAE; Arrup; Arrup holstii; centipede; Japan.

 

Case 3412 (see Comments 65:2 & Opinion 2225)

Reticulitermes Holmgren, 1913 (Insecta, Isoptera): proposed precedence over Maresa Giebel, 1856

Michael S. Engel
Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, and Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, 1501 Crestline Drive–Suite 140, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66049–2811, U.S.A.
(e-mail: msengel@ku.edu)

Kumar Krishna
Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, N.Y. 10024–5192, U.S.A.
(e-mail: krishn@amnh.org)

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the usage of the genus-group name Reticulitermes Holmgren, 1913 (type species Termes flavipes Kollar, 1837) for an economically important and universally known group of subterranean termites responsible for much economic damage in the Northern Hemisphere. Two genus-group names have priority over Reticulitermes, both having been established for a common species of fossil termite in Baltic amber. Hemerobites Germar, 1813 (type species Hemerobites antiquus Germar, 1813) has not been used after 1899 and can be considered a nomen oblitum under Article 23.9.1 of the Code. Maresa Giebel, 1856 (type species Maresa plebeja Giebel, 1856) has been used once since 1899, in a large compendium on fossil insects, and, therefore, cannot be automatically considered a nomen oblitum. It is proposed that the genus-group name Reticulitermes be given precedence over Maresa.

Keywords. Nomenclature; taxonomy; Isoptera; Reticulitermes; Maresa; Hemerobites; Reticulitermes flavipes; Maresa plebeja; termites; fossil; Baltic amber; Eocene.

 

Case 3406

Belostoma annulipes Herrich-Schaeffer, 1845 (currently Lethocerus annulipes; Insecta, Heteroptera, BELOSTOMATIDAE): proposed conservation of usage of the specific name by designation of a neotype

P.J. Perez-Goodwyn
Kyoto University, Graduate School of Agriculture, Laboratory of Insect
Ecology, Kyoto 606–8502, Japan
(e-mail: pablogoodwyn@yahoo.com.ar)

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Article 75.6 of the Code, is to conserve the widely used specific name Lethocerus annulipes (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1845) for a common Neotropical giant water bug (family BELOSTOMATIDAE) by setting aside all previous type fixations and designating a neotype.

Keywords. Nomenclature; taxonomy; Heteroptera; BELOSTOMATIDAE; Lethocerus; Lethocerus annulipes; Neotropics; giant water bug.

 

Case 3407 (see Comments 65:1, 65:2, 65:3, 65:4, 66:1)

Drosophila Fallén, 1823 (Insecta, Diptera): proposed conservation of usage

Kim van der Linde
Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306–1100, U.S.A.
(e-mail: kim@kimvdlinde.com)

Gerhard Bächli
Zoological Museum, Winterthurerstraße 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
(e-mail: baechli@zm.uzh.ch)

Masanori J. Toda
Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, N19 W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060–0819, Japan

Wen-Xia Zhang
College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China Toru Katoh COE for Neo-Science of Natural History, Hokkaido University, N10 W8,
Kita-ku, Sapporo 060–0810, Japan

Yao-Guang Hu
Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, N19 W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060–0819, Japan

Greg S. Spicer
Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, California 94132–1722, U.S.A.

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Article 70.2 of the Code, is to conserve the current usage of the widely used name Drosophila Fallén, 1823 (a genus of flies widely used in biological research, particularly in genetics and developmental biology) by the designation of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 as the type species of Drosophila. Detailed phylogenetic studies show that the genus Drosophila as currently defined is paraphyletic. Splitting the genus requires that the subgenus Sophophora Sturtevant, 1939 must be ranked as a separate genus. The type species of
Sophophora is by original designation Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830. Ranking Sophophora as a genus and changing the name of Drosophila melanogaster to Sophophora melanogaster would result in major nomenclatural instability due to the breadth and vast number of publications, using this combination. In addition, many refer to ‘Drosophila’ when ‘Drosophila melanogaster’ is actually meant; the two names are used interchangeably. It is therefore proposed that Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 is designated as the type species of Drosophila.

Keywords. Nomenclature; taxonomy; DROSOPHILIDAE; Drosophila; Sophophora; Drosophila melanogaster; Drosophila funebris; fruit flies.

 

Case 3402

PHOTININI LeConte, 1881 (Insecta, Coleoptera) and PHOTININAE Giglio-Tos, 1915 (Insecta, Mantodea): proposed resolution of homonymy between family-group names

Gavin J. Svenson
Laboratory for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, New York State Museum, Albany, NY, U.S.A.
(e-mail: gavin.svenson@gmail.com)

Marc A. Branham
Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A.
(e-mail: MABranham@ifas.ufl.edu)

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Articles 23.9.5, 29, 33.2.3.1,
55.3.1 and 70.2 of the Code, is to remove the homonymy between the beetle family-group name PHOTININI LeConte, 1881 (type genus Photinus Laporte, 1833) and the mantis family-group name PHOTININAE Giglio-Tos, 1915 (type genus Photina Burmeister, 1838). It is proposed that the stem of Photina Burmeister, 1838 be changed from PHOTIN- to PHOTINA- so that the tribe name will be emended to PHOTINAINI Giglio-Tos, 1915 and the subfamily name to PHOTINAINAE Giglio-Tos, 1915. The family-group names PHOTININI and PHOTININAE have a complex nomenclatural history due to a misspelled name of the type species, overlooked type species designation, homonymy and synonymy. The name Lampyris pallens Fabricius, 1798, has been used for the type species of the genus Photinus Laporte, 1833 in most modern taxonomic treatments of LAMPYRIDAE. However this is an incorrect subsequent spelling of Lampyris pullens Fabricius, 1798, which has never been used since it was established. There was an earlier and overlooked designation of Lampyris diaphana Germar, 1824 (currently Cratomorphus diaphanus) as the type species of Photinus Laporte, 1833, which renders Cratomorphus Motschulsky, 1853 a subjective junior synonym of Photinus Laporte, 1833. It is proposed that the spelling Lampyris pallens be deemed correct and all previous type fixations for Photinus Laporte, 1833 before that of Lampyris pullens Fabricius, 1798 by Fleutiaux et al. (1947) be set aside. Mantis vitrea Burmeister, 1838 (currently Photina vitrea Burmeister) has been designated as the type species of the genus Photina Burmeister, 1838. However it is a junior primary homonym of Mantis vitrea Stoll, 1813 (a junior subjective synonym of Hierodula venosa Olivier, 1792). It is proposed to rule that the name Mantis vitrea Burmeister, 1838 is not invalid by reason of its being a junior primary homonym of Mantis vitrea Stoll, 1813.

Keywords. Nomenclature; taxonomy; Insecta; Coleoptera; Mantodea; LAMPYRIDAE; PHOTININI; PHOTINAINI; PHOTININAE; PHOTINAINAE; Photinus; Photina; Photinus pallens; Photina vitrea; fireflies; lightning bugs; praying mantises.

 

Case 3420 (see Comments BZN 65:1, 65:3, 65:4, 66:1)

Buettneria Case, 1922 (Amphibia): proposed conservation

Spencer G. Lucas, Larry F. Rinehart, Justin A. Spielmann and Adrian P. Hunt
New Mexico Museum of Natural History, 1801 Mountain Road NW,
Albuquerque, NM 87104, U.S.A.
(e-mail: spencer.lucas@state.nm.us)

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the name of the Triassic amphibian genus Buettneria Case, 1922, which is a junior homonym of Buettneria Karsch, 1888, the generic name of an extant orthopteran insect. Because the name of the amphibian has been frequently and widely used, whereas that of the insect is very little used, the suppression of Buettneria Karsch, 1888 is proposed.

Keywords. Nomenclature; taxonomy; Orthoptera; Amphibia; Buettneria; Stenacropteryx; Buettneria perfecta; Central Africa; West Africa; West Texas; Triassic; amphibian; cricket.

 

Case 3345 (see Opinion 2223)

DENDROBATIDAE Cope, 1865 (1850) (Amphibia, Anura): proposed conservation

Jay M. Savage
Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182,
U.S.A. (e-mail: savy1@cox.net)

Charles W. Myers
Division of Vertebrate Zoology, Herpetology, American Museum of Natural
History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, U.S.A.
(e-mail: myers@amnh.org)

Darrel R. Frost
Division of Vertebrate Zoology, Herpetology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, U.S.A.
(e-mail: frost@amnh.org)

Taran Grant
Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifica Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do
Sul, Av. Ipiranga 6681, 90619–900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
(e-mail: taran.grant@pucrs.br)

Abstract. The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the widely used family-group name DENDROBATIDAE Cope, 1865 (1850), for a group of Neotropical frogs by giving it precedence over the senior synonym PHYLLOBATIDAE Fitzinger, 1843 whenever the two are considered synonyms. As a further protection of the family name it is proposed to suppress the generic name Hysaplesia Boie in Schlegel, 1826a, considered by some authors as a senior synonym of the generic name Dendrobates Wagler, 1830.

Keywords. Nomenclature; taxonomy; Amphibia; DENDROBATIDAE; Dendrobates; Phyllobates; Hylaplesia; Dendrobates tinctorius; Phyllobates bicolor; poison arrow frogs, poison dart frogs.