[Taxacom] Generic type of large genus belongs in different genus

[Paul van Rijckevorsel]

From: "Roderic Page" <r.page at bio.gla.ac.uk>
Sent: Monday, April 08, 2013 10:39 AM

> If names change depending on taxonomic context, then names 
> are not, in practice, divorced from taxonomy. They would be 
> if names were invariant across different taxonomies [...]

> I am not arguing that we replace names with other identifiers, 
> simply that once minted the name doesn't change (unless it is 
> a homonym and needs replacing). 

***
Obviously names do depend on taxonomy (and this has nothing
to do with nomenclature). Names cannot be invariant, as taxa
are not invariant. This works both ways:
* one and the same taxon may have different names, depending
on taxonomic placement.
* the same name refers to variously circumscribed taxa (and 
everything in between).
Only when you assume a God-created nature (with no religious
disagreement on what-is-what), is it possible to have invariancy.

Taxa are the result of a process of growth (evolution) and they
do not (naturally) fit into boxes (or into a Tree-of-Life). They have 
to be shoe-horned into it, and general agreement is unlikely (thus
no stability). To quote the famous saying: If you want stability of 
names, first make sure all taxonomists are safely buried.

Paul