Paleonet: Fossil Taxonomy.... [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[John.Laurie at ga.gov.au]

Dear Bruno,

 

In answer to your queries:

 

1. If type species of genus A is revised by Jones and it is considered that
it is better assigned to genus B, then unless statements to the contrary are
made by Jones, it is assumed that all other species of genus A are assigned
to genus B. However, you should realise that this may only be a matter of
opinion and that Smith may not agree with Jones. Smith may maintain that the
type species of genus A is not better assigned to genus B. The concept of
genus A still exists and it has a type species, even if everyone in that
field now agrees with Jones that that type species is better assigned to
genus B. Rather than dealing in such hypothetical situations, I find it more
instructive to deal with real examples. Has anyone got some good examples?

 

1.1.  As far as invertebrates go, this doesn't matter; it is dealt with in
synonymy lists. From my experience, little attention is paid to the initiator
of a new combination where it is simply a matter of subjective synonymy.

1.2.  See above

 

2.        If the type of a species is lost, and if there is other material
available which is of fairly good quality, you can select one of these as a
Neotype. Even if there are several similar-looking species at the type
locality, you can still select a Neotype from among that material. It doesn't
matter. The specimen you select as Neotype becomes the type of the species.
End of story, unless, of course, someone subsequently finds the original type
specimen in their backyard shed. If the type of a poorly understood species
still exists, but shows no features which can allow it to be distinguished
from, say, a pebble (e.g. Grandagnostus vermontensis Howell), then you should
illustrate the specimen, demonstrate that it cannot be characterised in any
substantial way, restrict the specific and generic names to that single
specimen, then effectively forget about it until you have to compile a
Treatise volume. Eventually everybody will get the message, the names will
fall into disuse and after a time you can apply to the ICZN to have the name
officially given the boot. In the interim, there is no real need to keep a
list of dodgy names. The people who work in the particular phylum, class or
order will know the name is no longer used, so there seems to be little point
in keeping a register, although I am willing to be convinced otherwise.

 

Regards

 

John

 

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Dr John R. Laurie 

Petroleum and Marine Division 

GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA 
GPO Box 378         
Canberra ACT 2601       
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E-mail: John.Laurie at ga.gov.au 

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