The Reptile Database - scientific names of Raymond Hoser

[ManonGros]

Describe the problem:

We received the following email on the GBIF Helpdesk:

This week, the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature (IZCN) handed down a long-awaited decision in terms of scientific names of Raymond Hoser and the validity of publication of Australasian Journal of Herpetology. They confirmed that the Hoser names are validly published according to the code and therefore have PRIORITY over newer names for the same entities. This means that nearly 100 names coined later by Wolfgang Wuster and his cohort are now no longer the correct available names, as in they are junior synonyms. As a result of the ICZN decision refuting documents such as "Kaiser et al. 2013" (as updated), the junior synonym names now need to be replaced on scientific databases and the like with the correct senior names. As this may include your own databases, specimen collections and other information records you may hold. As you may not be aware of all the available senior synonyms or the recent ICZN ruling, I have attached for you: 1/ The ICZN Ruling as a pdf 2/ A table with a list of synonym names you may be using that need to be changed (column 1), and including the correct ICZN names (Column 3). 3/ A listing of relevant references to the table are attached, in terms of the correct and later names. Please can you advise of: A/ Receipt of this email and attachments, B/ That your listings are records with the junior synonyms as listed on the table have been amended and corrected to include the correct senior name, being that necessary under the ICZN rules.

Literature references: The following documents were attached to the email: 2-6-Synonyms-references-2021.pdf 2-6-Synonyms-table-2021.pdf Hoser-Journals-valid-ICZN-1.pdf

And the following abstract were also included at the end of the email:

Abstract. The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature fnds no basis under the provisions of the Code for regarding the name Spracklandus as unavailable, nor for regarding any of issues 1–24 of Australasian Journal of Herpetology as being unpublished in the sense of the Code, but the Commission has declined to use its powers to confrm what is obvious. The Commission is not empowered to take Appendix A of the Code (Code of Ethics) into account in its rulings on this or any other Case.

The Commission finds no basis under the provisions of the Code for regarding the name Spracklandus as unavailable, nor for regarding any of issues 1–24 of Australasian Journal of Herpetology as being unpublished in the sense of the Code. In consequence, the Commission sees no need to confrm what is obvious. The Commission is reluctant to suppress, in an indiscriminate way, a large part of the work of an active zoologist. The Commission operates within the strict confines of nomenclature, and judgments based on the quality of taxonomy or on ethical principles remain beyond the mandate of the Commission, as outlined in Appendix A, point 7, of the Code, which states that “…the Commission is not empowered to investigate or rule upon alleged breaches of [these principles].”

[ManonGros]

An addition from the person who originally sent us the message:

A number of other valid taxa and their names appear to have been removed from your database.

See the list below: 2-6-Zoobank-Listings-11-October-2020.pdf

[yroskov]

The Reptile Database author has been informed about above ticket.

[CecSve]

The user and author of the names has contacted GBIF again about this issue. Could you please check and see how the update is coming along?

[yroskov]

To the best of my knowledge, as of May 30, 2024, the Catalogue of Life takes reptile taxonomy and data from the authorized provider The Reptile Database ver. March 2024 of 2024-03-28. All changes in The Reptile Database will be reflected in the Catalogue of Life once a new version is released by the data provider.