Search Results (9)

The debate of the validity of Maylandia vs. Metriaclima as a genus for a group of rock-dwelling cichlids (Pseudotropheus zebra complex) in Lake Malawi, Africa, has been argued for more than 25 years. Probably the most important requirement in describing new zoological taxa is Article 13.1.1 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 4th edition). We demonstrate that the description of Maylandia did not meet these requirements. Thus, we maintain that Maylandia remains a nomen nudum. Full article

Diagnoses are one of the most important ways that taxonomists make new taxa recognisable by others. A recent paper stated that diagnoses for newly described organisms should include both the characteristic(s) of the new taxon (providing state-specificity) and name the taxa with which they are compared (giving contrastiveness). I argue that the characteristics of the compared taxa should also be included such that the diagnostic features are not only contrastIVE but also overtly contrastED I surveyed 278 papers wherein 405 new insect genera were described. Forty-four genera did not have a formal diagnosis, among the rest, there was a total of 427 diagnoses because some genera had multiple diagnoses. Among these, 83 (19.4%) had one or more diagnostic states overtly contrasted and over one-eighth (13.9%) contrasted all of them. Unsurprisingly, diagnoses that overtly compared the new genus to others were significantly more likely to include characteristics that were contrasted than did diagnoses that were lists or combinations. I discuss how features should be contrasted in diagnoses. Full article

A new species of Encotyllabe Diesing, 1850 (Monopisthocotylea: Capsalidae), Encotyllabe tantaliani n. sp., is described from the pharyngeal plates of the Lorna drum, Sciaena deliciosa (Tschudi, 1846) (Eupercaria: Sciaenidae), collected from two localities along the Peruvian coast. This new species was originally proposed as E. callaoensis Tantaleán, 1974, in an unpublished doctoral thesis, and is herein recognized as a nomen nudum under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Encotyllabe tantaliani n. sp. is distinguished from all known congeners by the following combination of morphological features: (1) an anteriorly tapering body proper, (2) slightly lobed testes markedly larger than the ovary, (3) vitelline follicles beginning at the level of the male copulatory organ (MCO) and absent from the regions of the reproductive organs, (4) a genital pore positioned posterolateral to the pharynx, and (5) an oblong-shaped MCO. Phylogenetic analysis based on cox1 sequence places E. tantaliani n. sp. in a clade with Encotyllabe percussa Morales-Ávila, Jufaili & Ogawa, 2024, a parasite of Lethrinus nebulosus (Forsskål, 1775) (Eupercaria: Lethrinidae) from the Arabian Gulf. Pairwise genetic distances support the distinctiveness of the new species from its closest congeners. Encotyllabe tantaliani n. sp. represents the first species of the genus described from a host belonging to the Sciaenidae host. Full article

While elucidating the evolutionary trajectory of green anacondas, we previously documented the existence of two distinct species, Eunectes akayima sp. nov. and Eunectes murinus (Linnaeus, 1758), that separated approximately 10 million years ago. Our research integrates a novel molecular clock approach, focuses on tectonic plate movements with fossil records as minimal chronological markers, and offers a refined understanding of speciation events in relation to major biogeographical occurrences in South America. Mitochondrial DNA analysis demonstrates a significant genetic divergence between the species, which is supported by a notable difference in sexual size dimorphism (SSD) intensity between the two species, along with other morphological differences. This paper also rectifies earlier oversights in the description of the new species and clarifies taxonomic ambiguities in compliance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (henceforth ICZN). In addition, we designate a neotype for E. murinus to stabilize the group. In an effort to honor Indigenous nations, E. akayima sp. nov. derives its name from the Carib language, advocating for the inclusion of traditional names in scientific discourse. Our paper not only contributes to the taxonomic stability of anacondas but also advocates for the usage of Indigenous names in zoological nomenclature by adopting a more inclusive and flexible approach to the ICZN and eliminating unintended exclusionary practices that we have inherited in science as in other disciplines. Full article

Three new species of the small entimine genus Philetaerobius Marshall, 1923 from southern Africa are described, P. endroedyi sp. n., P. garibebi sp. n. and P. louwi sp. n., with bibliographic reference to fuller descriptions and illustrations in the recent paper by Borovec et al. (2018) published in the journal Diversity 10 (2), 30, in which the names were not made available under the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature dealing with electronic publication. A lectotype is also here designated for P. nidicola Marshall, 1923. Full article

Two new species of the cossonine genus Aphanommata Wollaston, 1873 from Cape Verde are described, Aphanommata kuscheli sp. n. and Aphanommata strakai sp. n, with bibliographic reference to fuller descriptions and illustrations in the recent paper by Skuhrovec et al. (2018) published in the journal Diversity 10 (2), 28, in which the names were not made available under the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature dealing with electronic publication. A lectotype is also here designated for Rhyncolus euphorbiarum Wollaston, 1867, currently assigned to the genus Aphanommata. Full article

Four new species of the erirhinine genus Afroryzophilus Lyal, 1990 from Africa are described, A. centrafricanus sp. n., A. congoanus sp. n., A. kuscheli sp. n. and A. somalicus sp. n., with bibliographic reference to fuller descriptions and illustrations in the recent paper by Caldara & Košťál (2018) published in the journal Diversity 10 (2), 37, in which the names were not made available under the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature dealing with electronic publication. Full article

One new genus and four new species of the Orthorhinini from Australia and Papua New Guinea are described, with bibliographic reference to complete descriptions and illustrations in the recent paper by Anderson et al. (2018) published in the journal Diversity 10 (3), 54, in which the names were not made available under the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature dealing with electronic publication, as follows: Ilacuris papuana Anderson & Setliff, sp. n., Ilacuris suttoni Anderson & Setliff, sp. n., Notopissodes variegatus Oberprieler, sp. n., Kuschelorhinus Anderson & Setliff, gen. n. and Kuschelorhinus hirsutus Anderson & Setliff, sp. n. Full article