[Taxacom] names for non-existing species

[Richard Jensen]

Two that come to mind are the Caminalcules, used extensively to try to 
evaluate numerical taxonomic methods, and the Dendrogrammaceae, 
"designed" for similar purposes.  I don't know if any of the "taxa" were 
provided species name status.

Dick J

On 3/25/2013 11:53 AM, John Noyes wrote:
> Hi Michael,
>
> One springs to mind:  Eoörnis petrovelox gobiensis (woofen-poof ) - a mythical bird that inhabited the Gobi desert but is now extinct probably because it few so fast that it embedded itself in tree trunks that it could not avoid because of its fast flight. See Augustus C. Fotheringham: http://www.amazon.com/Eo%C3%B6rnis-pterovelox-gobiensis-Augustus-Fortheringham/dp/1906267057
>
> "As the author explains, 'Through countless ages and successive civilizations this remarkable bird has been the symbol of speed, stamina, grace of line, proportion of members, and beauty of motion.' Here are the origins of the phrase, 'graceful as a bird.' A classic 'burlesque' in the history of science. Not a hoax. Not a mistake. It's a raucous, now legendary, adventure through the zoology and natural history of a most unusual creature. Written in the 1920s by Augustus C. Fotheringham, a pseudonym for Lester Sharp and Cuthbert Bancroft Fraser, this monograph has circulated far and wide. For years, it has moved quietly through scientist circles, handed down with a wink and a nod. If nothing else, Eoörnis shows the passion and dedication scientists have for their subject. Profits from the sale of this facsimile will be donated to support natural history museums."
>
> John
>
> John Noyes
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>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu [mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Ohl, Michael
> Sent: 25 March 2013 15:45
> To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
> Subject: [Taxacom] names for non-existing species
>
> And another question to the list.
>
> I know of only very few publications, in which properly formed scientific species-group names have been published explicitly for non-existing organisms, which, as a consequence, are invalid (names proposed for hypothetical concepts, Art. 1.3.1). Examples are:
>
>
> -          Shillingsworthia shillingsworthi Girault, which has been cited in various lists on curious scientific names.
>
>
> -          Several names published by Dougal Dixon in his well-known book 'After man'.
>
>
> -          The Rhinogradentia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinogradentia), which have made their way into a few zoology textbooks.
>
> I don't think of Warner Brothers' list of so-called 'Latin names' of Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote (http://purpletigercreations.com/Portfolio/portfolio/web/roadRunner/latin.htm), because these are just funny and arbitrary combinations of Latin-looking words, which are not 'seriously' formed.
>
> So do any of you know more examples for 'seriously' formed names, which have been explicitly published for non-existing organisms?
>
> Cheers, Michael
>
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-- 
Richard J. Jensen, Professor
Department of Biology
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Tel: 574-284-4674