(223–224) Proposals to remove redundancy in Recommendation 40A concerning indication of type

Abstract

Recommendation 40A.1 of the Shenzhen Code (Turland & al. in Regnum Veg. 159. 2018) advises “The indication of the nomenclatural type should immediately follow the description or diagnosis and should include the Latin word ‘typus’ or ‘holotypus’.” However, we have found that in many protologues Rec. 40A.1 has not been followed, including those published in reputable taxonomic periodicals. For example: Campanula dersimensis Fırat & Yıldırım (in Willdenowia 52: 170. 2022), Chlorophytum delicatulum Osborne & al. (in Kew Bull. 77: 677. 2022), Croton nagaoi Tagane & al. (in Phytotaxa 570: 102. 2022), Eriolaena barnettiae Dorr (in Taxon 70: 109. 2020), Impatiens katjae Nob. Tanaka & J.J. Verm. (in Novon 30: 56. 2022) and Primula surculosa Y. Xu & G. Hao (in PhytoKeys 212: 30. 2022). In our opinion, it matters little where the type is cited. In these instances, the types have been cited just after the name of the new species and before the diagnosis, and the indication of the type has used the English word “holotype” instead of the Latin “holotypus”. Article 40.6 rules “For the name of a new taxon at the rank of genus or below published on or after 1 January 1990, indication of the type must include one of the words ‘typus’ or ‘holotypus’, or its abbreviation, or its equivalent in a modern language”, and Rec. 40A.4 advises “Details of the type specimen of the name of a new species or infraspecific taxon should be published in the Latin alphabet.” It therefore seems redundant, or at least archaic, to additionally recommend using the Latin word “typus” or “holotypus”, and we propose that Rec. 40A.1 be deleted from the Code. Simultaneously, we propose to amend Rec. 40A.4 to make it explicit that the “details of the type specimen”, which should be published in the Latin alphabet, include the words required by Art. 40.6. “ 40A.1. The indication of the nomenclatural type should immediately follow the description or diagnosis and should include the Latin word “typus” or “holotypus”.” “40A.4. Details of the type specimen of the name of a new species or infraspecific taxon, including the words required by Art. 40.6, should be published in the Latin alphabet.” We thank the Director, Botanical Survey of India (BSI), and Scientist “E” and Head of the Office, Central National Herbarium, BSI, for providing facilities. We also thank Dr. John H. Wiersema and Nicholas J. Turland for their guidance, constructive suggestions, and refinements.