When (animal) type genus is a subgenus

[Hendrik Segers]

All,

My two cents worth:

> In zoological nomenclature, does the fact that the name-bearing type of a nominal family-group taxon (i.e., its "type genus") is classified as a subgenus affect the validity of that family-group name (assuming the family-group name is the earliest-proposed name based on a genus considered to belong to the family, and otherwise meets the criteria of availability)?

I'd say no: there appear to be no nomenclatorial consequences of differences in rank within the genus (and family, and species)-group level (see principle of co-ordination) in this particular case.

> Does it make a difference if the type genus in question is classified as a subgenus of a genus which is the type genus of another, later-proposed, family-group taxon?

Taxonomic (subjective!) synonymy does not affect availability or priority of names. There could be a problem regarding priority between the family-group taxa, but not becuase of the rank or classification of their respective types.

> Barry Roth
> (hoping he has stated the problem clearly)

Hendrik Segers
(hoping he has understood the problem, and the ICZN, correctly)


Dr. Hendrik Segers
Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Zoogeography and Nature Conservation
Department Biology, Ghent University
K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35
B- 9000 Gent
Belgium
Tel : (32)(0)9 264 52 54
Fax : (32)(0)9 264 53 43
E-mail : Hendrik.Segers at rug.ac.be