Re, Publication in Disseration Abstracts

[JAMES BLAKE]

Dear Taxonomists,

Barry Roth Writes,

>Is a zoological genus name first published in Dissertation Abstracts
>International available under ICZN rules if in other respects the
>citation satisfies the criteria of availability -- e.g., the name is
>indicated to be new, a type-species is designated, and there is a
>statement purporting to differentiate the proposed new taxon from
>other taxa?

Dissertation Abstracts in of itself satisfies the criteria for a
publication in that it is reproducible and readily available.  However,
the generic name is only available if the requirements of Article 13
(a) are satisfied, namely that "a description or definition that states
in words characters that are purported to differentiate the taxon...."
are presented.  It sounds like the statement of differentiation you
mention might be sufficient, but you will have to make the call.

If this statement is not sufficient, then the name in the Abstract is a
nomen nudum.


Jim Blake
ENSR
89 Water Street
Woods Hole, MA 02543
(jablake at ix.netcom.com)