... 1999, 2000, 2001), Ohler et al. (2000, 2002), Bossuyt and Dubois (2001), Dubois et al. (2001)... more ... 1999, 2000, 2001), Ohler et al. (2000, 2002), Bossuyt and Dubois (2001), Dubois et al. (2001), Veith et al. (2001). The following abbreviations are used for measurements: SVL: snout vent length. Head: HW: head width; HL: head ...
This work introduces a series of papers devoted to the ascertainment of the valid nomina, under t... more This work introduces a series of papers devoted to the ascertainment of the valid nomina, under the revised Duplostensional Nomenclatural System (DONS-2), of the highest taxa (from the rank order to the rank class) of recent amphibians and ‘reptiles’. The main general features of the DONS approach to class-series nomenclature (above the rank superfamily) are explained in detail, the DONS-2 procedure for ascertaining the availability, allocation, validity and correctness of class-series nomina is described, and a Glossary of all the technical nomenclatural terms used in this work is provided.
Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Lyon, 2005
Segura-Delorme Magali, Dubois Alain, Grosjean Stéphane, Ohler Annemarie. Nouveautés taxinomiques.... more Segura-Delorme Magali, Dubois Alain, Grosjean Stéphane, Ohler Annemarie. Nouveautés taxinomiques. Une nouvelle classification générique et subgénérique de la tribu des Philautini (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae, Rhacophorinae). In: Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Lyon, 74ᵉ année, n°5, mai 2005. pp. 165-171
This paper explores two aspects of the question of the allocation of nomina to taxa in zoo... more This paper explores two aspects of the question of the allocation of nomina to taxa in zoological nomenclature. The widespread belief that this allocation is effected only through onomatophores (‘types’) is shown to be wrong: if onomatophores only were involved, each zoological nomen would apply to all the taxa including the specimen(s) designated as onymophoront of each species-series nomen, up to the animal kingdom. Onomatophores do not provide the limit(s) of the taxon/taxa to which they apply. These limits are provided by two other pieces of information: the nominal-series to which the nomen of a taxon is assigned and the onomatostasis of this nomen, i.e. the onomatophore of the sister-taxon of the taxon under consideration. In species-, genus- and family-series nomenclature, the onomatostasis of a nomen is not fixed but depends on the ergotaxonomy (working classification) adopted, which is ideally based on at least one accepted phylogenetic hypothesis. The si...
The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) de... more The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September...
Vue de Sirius, la Terre est une planète peuplée principalement de larves, bien plus nombreuses qu... more Vue de Sirius, la Terre est une planète peuplée principalement de larves, bien plus nombreuses que les adultes des espèces auxquelles elles appartiennent ! Chenille et papillon, têtard et grenouille, beaucoup d'animaux ont un cycle vital dans lequel se succèdent plusieurs « formes » différentes. Ces changements de formes, ou « métamorphoses », ont généralement une fonction adaptative, permettant aux populations de se multiplier et se disperser, et d'exploiter diverses niches écologiques à des stades différents de leurs cycles. Ils les rendent également particulièrement vulnérables, notamment dans un environnement perturbé, comme celui auquel de plus en plus d'espèces sont soumises à notre époque que l'on peut appeler « siècle des extinctions ». En littérature, « métamorphoses », fait aussitôt penser à Ovide ou à Kafka. Or la véritable métamorphose qu'opère l'oeuvre littéraire n'intervient pas seulement en tant que thème, illustré par des récits où se prod...
This fifth report of activities of the Linz Zoocode Committee is devoted to a detailed survey of ... more This fifth report of activities of the Linz Zoocode Committee is devoted to a detailed survey of the problems raised by the current Rules of the Code, published in 2012, regarding the nomenclatural availability of works published online and registered on the database Zoobank. It points to various deficiencies in these Rules and in the conception and functioning of Zoobank, which result in uncertainties regarding the availability of these works and of their various versions. It proposes new wordings for these Rules, as well as for the terminology used regarding electronic publications.
The purpose of this application, under Article 81 of the Code, is to conserve the subsequent spel... more The purpose of this application, under Article 81 of the Code, is to conserve the subsequent spelling of the specific name Hyloxalus panamensis as a justified emendation of Hyloxalus panamansis Dunn, 1933 (currently Colostethus panamansis) for a Central American dendrobatid frog species which is the subject of important behavioural, environmental and biochemistry studies. While the original spelling panamansis is presently valid, both spellings have been in use since 1940. Although neither spelling has been established in prevailing usage, the emended spelling is becoming more widely used and is expected to prevail in the near future. It is proposed that the spelling panamensis be recognised as a justified emendation.
David, Patrick, Dubois, Alain (2005): Découverte et redescription de l'holotype d'Ahaetul... more David, Patrick, Dubois, Alain (2005): Découverte et redescription de l'holotype d'Ahaetulla pulverulenta (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) (Reptilia, Serpentes, Colubridae), avec une remarque sur le statut de Dryinus fuscus Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854. Zoosystema 27 (1): 163-178
Dubois, Alain (2006): Proposed Rules for the incorporation of nomina of higher-ranked zoological ... more Dubois, Alain (2006): Proposed Rules for the incorporation of nomina of higher-ranked zoological taxa in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. 2. The proposed Rules and their rationale. Zoosystema 28 (1): 165-258
The nomenclatural status of the nomina of amphibians and reptiles created by Garsault (1764), wit... more The nomenclatural status of the nomina of amphibians and reptiles created by Garsault (1764), with a parsimonious solution to an old nomenclatural problem regarding the genus Bufo (Amphibia, Anura), comments on the taxonomy of this genus, and comments on some nomina created by Laurenti (1768)
For many research works, as well as for decisions regarding environment, conservation and trade, ... more For many research works, as well as for decisions regarding environment, conservation and trade, biologists, conservationists and administrators need updated lists of taxa. As the taxonomy of the living organisms of our planet is constantly changing and improving, it is often difficult for non-specialists to find adequate information in this field, hence the usefulness of comprehensive checklists and catalogues giving lists of taxa and references to major works dealing with these taxa. Nowadays, an easy and quick way to obtain this information, although sometimes incomplete or partly inaccurate, is through internet sites. However, because of their lack of permanence, such sites cannot be reliable scientific references (D, 2003), and it is necessary to have paper publications which can be permanently consulted and quoted. Because of the continuous changes in taxonomies, such published lists must be regularly updated through ‘‘additions’’ or ‘‘supplements’’, or through new, entir...
The absence of rules in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature for nomenclature of tax... more The absence of rules in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature for nomenclature of taxa above superfamily is a source of instability and confusion, especially with the recent increase in number of higher taxa following multiplication of phylogenetic analyses. A recent proposal concerning such rules, submitted elsewhere, is briefly presented here, and its consequences regarding nomenclature of higher taxa of recent amphibians are summarised. The class nomen AMPHIBIA should be credited to DE BLAINVILLE (1816) instead of LINNAEUS (1758). The nomen LISSAMPHIBIA Haeckel, 1866 is an invalid junior synonym of BATRACHIA Brongniart, 1800, that applies to one of the superorders of the subclass including all recent amphibians. The valid nomen of this subclass is NEOBATRACHI Sarasin & Sarasin, 1890. The three orders of recent amphibians should be known as ANURA Dumeril, 1806, URODELA Dumeril, 1806 and GYMNOPHIONA Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1814. The nomina SAUENTIA Laurenti, 1768, CAUDATA ...
... 1999, 2000, 2001), Ohler et al. (2000, 2002), Bossuyt and Dubois (2001), Dubois et al. (2001)... more ... 1999, 2000, 2001), Ohler et al. (2000, 2002), Bossuyt and Dubois (2001), Dubois et al. (2001), Veith et al. (2001). The following abbreviations are used for measurements: SVL: snout vent length. Head: HW: head width; HL: head ...
This work introduces a series of papers devoted to the ascertainment of the valid nomina, under t... more This work introduces a series of papers devoted to the ascertainment of the valid nomina, under the revised Duplostensional Nomenclatural System (DONS-2), of the highest taxa (from the rank order to the rank class) of recent amphibians and ‘reptiles’. The main general features of the DONS approach to class-series nomenclature (above the rank superfamily) are explained in detail, the DONS-2 procedure for ascertaining the availability, allocation, validity and correctness of class-series nomina is described, and a Glossary of all the technical nomenclatural terms used in this work is provided.
Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Lyon, 2005
Segura-Delorme Magali, Dubois Alain, Grosjean Stéphane, Ohler Annemarie. Nouveautés taxinomiques.... more Segura-Delorme Magali, Dubois Alain, Grosjean Stéphane, Ohler Annemarie. Nouveautés taxinomiques. Une nouvelle classification générique et subgénérique de la tribu des Philautini (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae, Rhacophorinae). In: Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Lyon, 74ᵉ année, n°5, mai 2005. pp. 165-171
This paper explores two aspects of the question of the allocation of nomina to taxa in zoo... more This paper explores two aspects of the question of the allocation of nomina to taxa in zoological nomenclature. The widespread belief that this allocation is effected only through onomatophores (‘types’) is shown to be wrong: if onomatophores only were involved, each zoological nomen would apply to all the taxa including the specimen(s) designated as onymophoront of each species-series nomen, up to the animal kingdom. Onomatophores do not provide the limit(s) of the taxon/taxa to which they apply. These limits are provided by two other pieces of information: the nominal-series to which the nomen of a taxon is assigned and the onomatostasis of this nomen, i.e. the onomatophore of the sister-taxon of the taxon under consideration. In species-, genus- and family-series nomenclature, the onomatostasis of a nomen is not fixed but depends on the ergotaxonomy (working classification) adopted, which is ideally based on at least one accepted phylogenetic hypothesis. The si...
The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) de... more The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September...
Vue de Sirius, la Terre est une planète peuplée principalement de larves, bien plus nombreuses qu... more Vue de Sirius, la Terre est une planète peuplée principalement de larves, bien plus nombreuses que les adultes des espèces auxquelles elles appartiennent ! Chenille et papillon, têtard et grenouille, beaucoup d'animaux ont un cycle vital dans lequel se succèdent plusieurs « formes » différentes. Ces changements de formes, ou « métamorphoses », ont généralement une fonction adaptative, permettant aux populations de se multiplier et se disperser, et d'exploiter diverses niches écologiques à des stades différents de leurs cycles. Ils les rendent également particulièrement vulnérables, notamment dans un environnement perturbé, comme celui auquel de plus en plus d'espèces sont soumises à notre époque que l'on peut appeler « siècle des extinctions ». En littérature, « métamorphoses », fait aussitôt penser à Ovide ou à Kafka. Or la véritable métamorphose qu'opère l'oeuvre littéraire n'intervient pas seulement en tant que thème, illustré par des récits où se prod...
This fifth report of activities of the Linz Zoocode Committee is devoted to a detailed survey of ... more This fifth report of activities of the Linz Zoocode Committee is devoted to a detailed survey of the problems raised by the current Rules of the Code, published in 2012, regarding the nomenclatural availability of works published online and registered on the database Zoobank. It points to various deficiencies in these Rules and in the conception and functioning of Zoobank, which result in uncertainties regarding the availability of these works and of their various versions. It proposes new wordings for these Rules, as well as for the terminology used regarding electronic publications.
The purpose of this application, under Article 81 of the Code, is to conserve the subsequent spel... more The purpose of this application, under Article 81 of the Code, is to conserve the subsequent spelling of the specific name Hyloxalus panamensis as a justified emendation of Hyloxalus panamansis Dunn, 1933 (currently Colostethus panamansis) for a Central American dendrobatid frog species which is the subject of important behavioural, environmental and biochemistry studies. While the original spelling panamansis is presently valid, both spellings have been in use since 1940. Although neither spelling has been established in prevailing usage, the emended spelling is becoming more widely used and is expected to prevail in the near future. It is proposed that the spelling panamensis be recognised as a justified emendation.
David, Patrick, Dubois, Alain (2005): Découverte et redescription de l'holotype d'Ahaetul... more David, Patrick, Dubois, Alain (2005): Découverte et redescription de l'holotype d'Ahaetulla pulverulenta (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) (Reptilia, Serpentes, Colubridae), avec une remarque sur le statut de Dryinus fuscus Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854. Zoosystema 27 (1): 163-178
Dubois, Alain (2006): Proposed Rules for the incorporation of nomina of higher-ranked zoological ... more Dubois, Alain (2006): Proposed Rules for the incorporation of nomina of higher-ranked zoological taxa in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. 2. The proposed Rules and their rationale. Zoosystema 28 (1): 165-258
The nomenclatural status of the nomina of amphibians and reptiles created by Garsault (1764), wit... more The nomenclatural status of the nomina of amphibians and reptiles created by Garsault (1764), with a parsimonious solution to an old nomenclatural problem regarding the genus Bufo (Amphibia, Anura), comments on the taxonomy of this genus, and comments on some nomina created by Laurenti (1768)
For many research works, as well as for decisions regarding environment, conservation and trade, ... more For many research works, as well as for decisions regarding environment, conservation and trade, biologists, conservationists and administrators need updated lists of taxa. As the taxonomy of the living organisms of our planet is constantly changing and improving, it is often difficult for non-specialists to find adequate information in this field, hence the usefulness of comprehensive checklists and catalogues giving lists of taxa and references to major works dealing with these taxa. Nowadays, an easy and quick way to obtain this information, although sometimes incomplete or partly inaccurate, is through internet sites. However, because of their lack of permanence, such sites cannot be reliable scientific references (D, 2003), and it is necessary to have paper publications which can be permanently consulted and quoted. Because of the continuous changes in taxonomies, such published lists must be regularly updated through ‘‘additions’’ or ‘‘supplements’’, or through new, entir...
The absence of rules in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature for nomenclature of tax... more The absence of rules in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature for nomenclature of taxa above superfamily is a source of instability and confusion, especially with the recent increase in number of higher taxa following multiplication of phylogenetic analyses. A recent proposal concerning such rules, submitted elsewhere, is briefly presented here, and its consequences regarding nomenclature of higher taxa of recent amphibians are summarised. The class nomen AMPHIBIA should be credited to DE BLAINVILLE (1816) instead of LINNAEUS (1758). The nomen LISSAMPHIBIA Haeckel, 1866 is an invalid junior synonym of BATRACHIA Brongniart, 1800, that applies to one of the superorders of the subclass including all recent amphibians. The valid nomen of this subclass is NEOBATRACHI Sarasin & Sarasin, 1890. The three orders of recent amphibians should be known as ANURA Dumeril, 1806, URODELA Dumeril, 1806 and GYMNOPHIONA Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1814. The nomina SAUENTIA Laurenti, 1768, CAUDATA ...
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