Separating Nomenclature and Classification (use of rank the rank of forma, etc)

[Thomas Lammers]

At 07:33 AM 10/4/00 -0700, Curtis Clark wrote:
>At 02:22 AM 10/4/00, MARK WATSON wrote:
>>So to answer Curtis Clark, the various ranks of infraspecific 'names' are
>>not hierarchic for nomenclatural purposes, but they should be used
>>in a hierarchy when constructing a classification.
>
>Okay, all this makes sense to me, up to the point of "should". As far as I
>can see, if there is an existing f. alba, and I describe a new var. of that
>species, thus creating the autonymic var. as well, and I decide that f.
>alba exists in both vars., there is no rule of nomenclature to prevent that.
>
>Correct?

If you mean that you could simultaneously recognize ...

Planta rubra f. alba Clark  ...

as both
Planta rubra var. rubra f. alba Clark
and
Planta rubra var. borealis f. alba Clark ...

both based on the same type (and let's say for the sake of discussion that
the type is otherwise referable to var. rubra) ...

Well, I guess there would be nothing to stop you, except  your natural
desire as a good taxonomist that your taxa be relatively uniform in their
characteristics.  If you did this, some of the plants you identify as f.
alba would match the type of f. alba in the characteristics of var. rubra,
while other plants you identify as f. alba would not match the type of f.
alba in those characteristics, rather they would conform in those features
to var. borealis.

Though it might be permissable under the Code (if only through a loophole),
it would not be sound taxonomic practice.

Come to think of it, perhaps Preamble 10 (The Escape Clause) is relevant:
"In the absence of relevant rule or where consequences of rules are
doubtful, established custom is followed."  Established custom is to give
the white-flowered variant of each var. or subsp. its own name, based on
its own type.

Or is Principle IV relevant?  "Each taxonomic group with a particular
circumscription, position, and rank can bear only one correct name ..."
In the case above, you have two groups, with different positions.  I guess
maybe this is the inverse of the Principle IV.

I cannot believe I have spent this much time discussing a rank I never have
and will never use, one I think should be expunged from the Code!  Ah, Academe!


Thomas G. Lammers, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Curator of the Herbarium (OSH)
Department of Biology and Microbiology
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901-8640 USA

e-mail:       lammers at uwosh.edu
phone:      920-424-7085
fax:           920-424-1101

Plant systematics; classification, nomenclature, evolution, and
biogeography of the Campanulaceae s. lat.
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