new species names in theses.

[Robin Leech]

A name can be proposed in a thesis as being new.  Nothing wrong there.
However, until it is published in one form or another, the name is
invalid, as a thesis does not constitute a publication.

The usual plan is publish the new names as soon as possible after the
thesis defense.  Further, many have an idea just where the paper is to be
published, so the format presented in the thesis is done so that all the
student has to do is peal off the parts that the university requires,
modify a few things, and send it to a journal.

I know of an instance where a German found a thesis that he knew had not
yet been published.  The topic was on a family of Diptera.  The author
of the paper got wind that his paper had been stolen, was in press in a
European journal, and quick like a bunny rabbit, he moved heaven and
earth and The Canadian Entomologist published the new names within a
month or so, beating out the thief.

Robin Leech

On Wed, 10 Jan 1996, Atilano Contreras-Ramos wrote:

>         I would appreciate some comments about including new species
> names (i.e., as in a publication) in theses or dissertations.  Any formal
> objections?  I think it might save time for using same material for
> subsequent publication.  Thanks in advance.
>
>
> Atilano Contreras-Ramos
> Univ Minnesota, Dept Entomology
> St. Paul, MN 55108; USA.
> (612) 624-9235 (Lab)
> (612) 625-5299 (Fax)
>