Contact us Report abuse

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature

Home » Cases » All Cases

Cases

Case 3869

Overview

Case 3869: Platyptera Meigen, 1803 and Rhamphomyia Meigen, 1822 (Insecta, Diptera, EMPIDIDAE): conservation of usage of the generic names by designation of Empis borealis Linnaeus, 1758 as the type species of Platyptera

Status of Case:Open Cases
Date Published:12/2025
Authors: Evenhuis, N. L., Barták, M., Sinclair, B. J.
Volume and Issue:82/
Pagination:79-83
Keywords: Nomenclature; taxonomy; Diptera; Empididae; Platyptera; Rhamphomyia; empidid flies
Taxonomic Group(s): Diptera
Abstract:

The purpose of this application, under Article 70.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, is to conserve the current usage of the generic
names Platyptera Meigen, 1803 (currently a subgenus of Empis Linnaeus, 1758) and Rhamphomyia Meigen, 1822, two well-established genus-group names of empidid flies. The type species of Platyptera had long been assumed to be Empis borealis Linnaeus, 1758, designated by Melander in 1928. However, the correct type species, by absolute tautonymy, is Empis platyptera Panzer, 1794, which is currently recognized as a valid species of Rhamphomyia Meigen, 1822. Acceptance of the tautonymic fixation would threaten stability of nomenclature and taxonomy for the common and widely distributed nominal genus Rhamphomyia Meigen, 1822 by making it a junior synonym of Platyptera Meigen, 1803, thus requiring a new genus to be proposed for species currently in Platyptera, as there would be no available name for this group of species.

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.