Contact us Report abuse

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature

Home » Cases » All Cases

Cases

Case 3587

Overview

Case 3587: Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848 (Reptilia,Testudines): proposed precedence over Emys cayennensis Schweigger, 1812

Status of Case:Resolved (Opinion Issued)
Date Published:03/2013
Authors: Vogt, R. C., Thomson, S. A., Rhodin, A. G. J., Pritchard, P. C. H., Mittermeier, R. A., Baggi, N.
Volume and Issue:70/1
Pagination:
Keywords: Nomenclature, taxonomy, Reptilia, Testudines, PODOCNEMIDIDAE, Podocnemis, Podocnemis unifilis, Podocnemis cayennensis, Yellow-spotted River Turtle, Amazon, South America
Taxonomic Group(s): Reptilia, Testudines
Abstract:

The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the specific name Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848, for a widely distributed species of Amazonian turtle (family Podocnemididae) of both economic and conservation importance, by giving it precedence over its infrequently used senior synonym Podocnemis cayennensis (Schweigger, 1812). This species, the Yellow-spotted River Turtle, has long been referred to as P. unifilis by the IUCN Red List and CITES, as well as in at least 200 scientific publications over more than a century, whereas the name P. cayennensis has only been applied to this species in very few recent publications. Prior to 1974, the name cayennensis had usually been used incorrectly for another species, the Red-headed River Turtle, Podocnemis erythrocephala (Spix, 1824), as noted and corrected by Mittermeier & Wilson (1974) and Pritchard & Trebbau (1984). The conservation of the binomen P. unifilis will stabilize the use of a name that has been in general use for this species in the vast majority of the scientific publications, government documents, endangered species lists, and the general literature for over 100 years. Giving precedence to the older name (cayennensis) would be counter to usage, and would create much confusion in the literature.

Full Text:

https://doi.org/10.21805/bzn.v70i1.a8

External Links: Google Scholar BibTex XML RIS

Opinions

Opinion 2431: Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848 (Reptilia, Testudines): precedence given over Emys cayennensis Schweigger, 1812
Status of Case:
Date Published:04/2019
Authors: ICZN
Volume and Issue:76/
Pagination:
Keywords: Nomenclature, taxonomy, Reptilia, Testudines, PODOCNEMIDIDAE, Podocnemis, Podocnemis unifilis, Podocnemis cayennensis, Yellow-spotted River Turtle, Amazon, South America
Taxonomic Group(s):
Abstract:

The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature has conserved the usage of the specific name of Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848 for a widely distributed species of Amazonian turtle, by giving it precedence over its rarely used senior subjective synonym Emys cayennensis Schweigger, 1812 (currently Podocnemis cayennensis).

Full Text:

http://dx.doi.org/10.21805/bzn.v76.a023

External Links: Google Scholar BibTex XML RIS

For further information, please contact us.

LKCNHM logo

ICZN is supported by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore (Company Registration No. 200604346E).
ICZN is an Associate Participant to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) & a Scientific Member of the International Union of Biological Science (IUBS).
Correspondence to the ICZN should be directed to the Secretary (iczn@nus.edu.sg / +65 6518 8364).

Creative Commons Licence

Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Licence.