A replacement family-group name among fossil Neuroptera (Insecta)

Corrigendum to “Assessing phylogenetic dependence of morphological traits using co-inertia prior to investigate character evolution in Loricariinae catfishes” Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 46 (2008) 986–1002

In a phylogenetic study of the insect order Strepsiptera, the peculiar paleotropical genus Lychnocolax Bohart, 1951 was recovered as the sister group to Stylopidae + Xenidae rather than as nested among the Myrmecolacidae (McMahon et al., 2011). Accordingly, the genus was removed from the myrmecolacids and placed in a family of its own (Kathirithamby Engel, 2014). Kathirithamby Engel (2014) erroneously attributed the family-group name to Bohart (1951) and therefore provided nothing more than diagnostic traits in the form of a dichotomous key to families. Cook (2019) rightly noted that Bohart (1951) provided only an account of the genus but retained it within Myrmecolacidae and did not establish a higher category for Lychnocolax. Accordingly, the first usage of a family-group name based on Lychnocolax was by Kathirithamby Engel (2014) (Cook, 2019). Unfortunately, their usage of the name does not meet the criteria required to make the name available from that date and source (ICZN, 1999). Specifically, after 1999 all new family-group names, aside from being based on an available type genus and accompanied by a description in words (ICZN, 1999: Arts. 13.1 and 13.2), must also meet the following criteria pertinent to the current case : 1) must be explicitly indicated as new (Art. 16.1), and 2) must be accompanied by a clear citation of the type genus (Art. 16.2). While Kathirithamby Engel (2014) did base the name on an available type genus and included diagnostic characters to differentiate the family from other groups, they did not explicitly indicate the name as new (since they erroneously attributed the name to Bohart), nor did they specifically note the type genus (even if it was apparent from the formation of the familial name). Thus, given the failure to satisfy Articles 16.1 and 16.2 (ICZN, 1999), the family-group name based on Lychnocholax Bohart, 1951 must be considered as unavailable from the publication of Kathirithamby Engel (2014). Although the family name has been mentioned a few times subsequently (e.g., Lu Liu, 2014; Kathirithamby et al., 2015; Engel et al., 2016; Kathirithamby, 2018; Cook, 2019), none of these latter uses satisfy the requirements of the ICZN (1999). Therefore, this nomenclatural oversight is here corrected utilizing the diagnostic traits outlined in the key of Kathirithamby Engel (2014).

M kol (2007) proposed two new family-group names in the Trombidiidae, with the type genera Dolichothrombium Feider, 1945 and Paratrombium Bruyant, 1910, respectively. However, Robaux (1969) also proposed two new family-group names based on the same two genera respectively and so did Feider (1959) for family-group names based on Paratrombium (although they used the emendation Parathrombium). The purpose of this short note is to clarify the authorship and date of these family-group names. Robaux (1969) introduced a classification of the 'Thrombidiinae s.l.' into different tribes; he erected the new tribe Dolichothrombiini with the sole genus Dolichothrombium and provided a diagnosis. M kol (2007) proposed a new classification of the Trombidiidae and proposed a “new” subfamily Dolichothrombiinae with Dolichothrombium as the sole and type genus; this is merely the first use of the previously established name in a new rank (subfamily) but incorrectly as a new name. According to Article 36 Principle of Coordination of International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (1999), the authorship and date for both Dolichothrombiini and Dolichothrombiinae are Robaux, 1969—also for all other Dolichothrombium-based family-group names at ranks not yet used (i.e. superfamily, family, and subtribe). Feider (1959) first proposed Parathromboidea (p. 545) and Parathrombiidae (p. 546) with descriptions to enable separation of them from related superfamilies/families. Robaux (1969) erected Parathrombiini to accommodate Paratrombium (spelt as Parathrombium) and Xenothrombium and he also provided a diagnosis for the tribe. M kol (2007) proposed a “new” subfamily Paratrombiinae with Paratrombium as the type genus and provided a diagnosis; she was aware of Feider (1959, 1979) and Robaux (1969). According to the Principle of Coordination, the nomenclatural history is best explicitly summarized as below. Superfamily Paratrombioidea Feider, 1959

In 1841, T. W. Harris published “A Report on the Insects of Massachusetts, Injurious to Vegetation,” a seminal work in North American Entomology and one of the first New World publications to describe Lepidoptera species. Although appearing in several subsequent editions, the eight family-group names proposed by Harris were largely overlooked. In summarizing Harris’ family-group names, we show that authorship for two Noctuidae names in current usage require changes: Acronictinae Harris, 1841 (originally as Acronyctadae) has priority over Heinemann, 1859, and Agrotini Harris, 1841 (as Agrotitidae) has priority over Rambur, 1848. Mamestradae Harris, 1841 is also a senior synonym of Mamestrinae Hampson, 1902 (Type genus: Mamestra Ochsenheimer, 1816), an available name that is currently a junior subjective synonym of Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Hadenini Guenée, 1837 (Type genus: Hadena Schrank, 1802). Geometridae: Ennominae: Hyberniini Harris, 1841 (as Hyberniadae), based on Erranis Hübner, [1825] (= Hybernia Berthold, 1827), has precedence over two family-group names with long-standing usage, Bistonini Stephens, 1850 and Boarmiini Duponchel, 1845, and a reversal of precedence for the latter two names over Hyberniini is proposed under ICZN guidelines.

The purpose of this application, under Article 55.3.1 of the Code, is to remove the homonymy between the family-group names Microcentrini Deitz, 1975 (type genus Microcentrus Stål, 1869) (Insecta, Hemiptera, Membracidae) and Microcentrini Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878 (type genus Microcentrum Scudder, 1862) (Insecta, Orthoptera, Phaneropteridae), by emending of the former to Microcentrusini Deitz, 1975. These two family-group names are based on similar but not identical type-genus names. It is proposed herein that the entire generic name Microcentrus be adopted as the grammatical stem, so the family-group name of Deitz (1975) will become Microcentrusini, thus resolving the homonymy.

1.1.3 Nomenclatorial problems in usage of some family and genus names

Family-group names proposed for beetles belonging to the family Cerambycidae are catalogued and their availability is determined using the rules of the current International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. A synoptic classification of the family summarizes the validity of the names. Type genera of all family-group names are listed and the type species and stems of genera of available family-group names are included. A new family-group name, Elytracanthinini Bousquet (type genus: Elytracanthina Monn, 2005, a replacement name for Elytracantha Lane, 1955) is proposed for Elytracanthinae Lane, 1955. Ichthyosoma armatum Montrouzier, 1855 is designated as type species of Icthyosoma Boisduval, 1835. Reversal of precedence is used to preserve the validity of the following family-group names: Anaglyptides Lacordaire, 1868 (over Anaglyptisidae Gistel, 1848 [Buprestidae]); Dryobiini Arnett, 1962 (over Dryobiadae Gistel, 1856 [Ptinidae]); Hemilophitae Thomson, 1868 (over Amphionychitae Thomson, 1860) and Hétéropsides Lacordaire, 1869 (over Dichophyiaeidae Gistel, 1848). The following family-group names, although junior synonyms, are preserved as valid until an application is submitted to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature; in these cases a reversal of precedence could not be applied: Eurypodini Gahan, 1906 (over Zaracinae Pascoe, 1869); Macronides Lacordaire, 1868 (over Enchapteritae Thomson, 1861); Pyresthides Lacordaire, 1868 (over Pseudolepturitae Thomson, 1861 and Erythrinae Pascoe, 1866) and Stenoderinae Pascoe, 1867 (over Syllitae Thomson, 1864). A total of 238 valid cerambycid family-group names (413 available names) are recognized in the following 13 subfamilies: Vesperinae (1 valid family-group name), Oxypeltinae (1), Disteniinae (4), Anoplodermatinae (3), Philinae (1), Parandrinae (2), Prioninae (24), Spondylidinae (5), Necydalinae (1), Lepturinae (8), Lamiinae (80), Dorcasominae (1), and Cerambycinae (107).

The purpose of this application, under Articles 29 and 55.3.1 of the Code, is to remove the homonymy of Cepheidae Berlese, 1896 (type genus Cepheus Koch, 1835) (Acariformes) with Cepheidae Agassiz, 1862 (type genus Cephea Peron & Lesueur, 1810) (Cnidaria), by emending the former to Cepheusidae Berlese, 1896. These two family-group names are based on similar but not identical type-genus names.

The purpose of this application, under Article 55.3.1 of the Code, is to remove the homonymy between two family-group names of Hexapoda: the coleopteran tribal name AcalyptiniThomson, 1859 (type genus AcalyptusSchonherr, 1833; family Curculionidae) and the heteropteran tribal name AcalyptiniBlatchley, 1926 (type genus AcalyptaWestwood, 1840; family Tingidae). We propose to adopt the entire type genus name AcalyptaWestwood, 1840 as the stem for the corresponding family-group name AcalyptainiBlatchley, 1926. The senior homonym AcalyptiniThomson, 1859 (Coleoptera), based on AcalyptusSchonherr, 1833, will remain unchanged.

Donegan (2012) proposed the family-group name "Ortalidaini n. tribe" for the chachalaca group in the avian family Cracidae (guans), and designated "Ortalis (or Ortalida)" [sic] Merrem, 1786, as the type genus. For reasons given below, the name "Ortalidaini" is showed to be misformed according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999), hereinafter the Code, and the correct stems of family-group names using Ortalis Merrem, 1786, as type genus are presented.

The purpose of the present paper is to review and resolve nomenclatural problems with the family-group name Physoderinae Miller, 1954 (type genus: Physoderes Westwood, 1846), a name being in prevailing usage for a subfamily of assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae). It is demonstrated that this name is a junior synonym of Epiroderinae Distant, 1904 (type genus: Epirodera Westwood, 1847, a junior objective synonym of Physoderes) and permanently invalid as a junior homonym of the family-group name Physoderina Chaudoir, 1877 (type genus: Physodera Eschscholtz, 1829) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Harpalinae: Lebiini), therefore it is replaced by its senior synonym, Epiroderinae.

The purpose of this application, under Articles 55.3.1 and 81 of the Code, is the suppression of the hemipteran insect genus-group name Scaris Le Peletier & Audinet-Serville, 1828 and family-group names based on it to remove the homonymy between the parrotfish family-group name Scaridi (currently Scaridae) Rafinesque, 1810 (type genus ScarusForsskal, 1775) and the insect family-group name Scarides (Scaridae) Amyot & Audinet-Serville, 1843 (type genus Scaris Le Peletier & Audinet-Serville, 1828), and also to conserve the usage of the name DocalidiaNielson, 1979 for a large genus of Neotropical leafhoppers.

The island of Madagascar is a renowned hotspot for adaptive radiations. Madagascar has been separated from mainland Africa since the end of the Jurassic, and from India since the Late Cretaceous. This long isolation, combined with the island’s large size and relatively few dispersal events has resulted in an avifauna characterized by a low species count and high endemism: for instance, 80% of the breeding Malagasy songbirds (Passeriformes) are endemic (Hawkins & Goodman 2003). A first series of papers (Cibois et al. 1999, 2001; Fjeldsa et al. 1999) on the phylogeny of the Malagasy taxa traditionally classified as Timaliidae, Sylviidae and Pycnonotidae (all families included in the large sylvioid clade) showed that several of these passerines form an original radiation endemic to the island. Because these results were based solely on a single kind of molecular marker (mitochondrial DNA sequences), the authors refrained at that time from giving a name to this clade. More recently, other studies using nuclear markers as well (Beresford et al. 2005; Johansson et al. 2008a, 2008b) confirm the existence of this Malagasy sylvioid radiation. The species that comprise this group exhibit a great variety of bill shapes, wing and tail proportions, and tarsus lengths. This diversity in morphology is linked to varieties of habitat and prey favoured by these insectivorous forest dwellers (Schulenberg 2003). Thus the endemic Malagasy sylvioid clade rivals other island radiations, including the vangas of Madagascar and the finches of the Galapagos, in ecological and morphological diversity. Several authors were inclined to consider this group at the family level, using the name ‘Bernieridae’. To our knowledge the first study using this name was the book “The natural history of Madagascar”, edited by S. M. Goodman and J. Benstead in 2003, where the name ‘Bernieridae’ appeared in two chapters (in Tingle et al. (2003: p. 522) and Hawkins & Goodman (2003: p. 1036), although Schulenberg (2003: p. 1131) referred to the Malagasy "warblers" in his chapter on the radiations of passerine birds on Madagascar). An alternative spelling for the family-group name, ‘Bernieriidae’, can be found in several personal pages on the internet, but we have not found an occurrence of this in any publication, as defined in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (4th edition, 1999). The name ‘Bernieridae’ was later used in several journal articles (Chouteau & Fenosoa 2008; Fuchs et al. 2008; Johansson et al. 2008a, 2008b), however, none of these have introduced the family-group name ‘Bernieridae’ according to the provisions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, i.e. the nominal taxon was not explicitly indicated as intentionally new (Article 16.1) and the type genus was not cited (Article 16.2). In the present paper, we therefore propose to rectify this situation by correctly introducing the family-group name for the Malagasy sylvioid radiation.

The Commission has ruled that homonymy between the Coleoptera family-group name nomiidae Gozis, 1875 (type genus Nomius Laporte, 1835) and Hymenoptera family-group name nomiinae Robertson, 1904 (type genus Nomia Latreille, 1804) be removed by changing the spelling of the senior name (the entire generic name of Nomius is used to form nomiusidae), while the hymenopteran family-group name (based on Nomia Latreille, 1804) remains unaltered.

The Tettigoniidae is the largest and most complex family within the Orthoptera, and perhaps expectedly, its systematic arrangement is largely unsatisfactory. Recent phylogenetic studies within the group have been almost wholly at odds with traditional morphological classification, and it is clear that a great number of changes will be made to the family in the near future. To remove the element of nomenclatural uncertainty that will inevitably arise with such dramatic changes, I here provide a complete annotated list of all family-group names proposed within the Tettigoniidae in explicit order of priority. I provide details of the authorship, availability, current validity, current rank(s) and name(s), type genus, stem, and parent taxon of each of the 182 proposed family-group names, of which 171 represent available names. I also make several nomenclatural changes, the most significant of which is the replacement of available but informal groupings (e.g. species groups) with formal tribes, subtribes, and infratribes. Other major changes are the replacement of Nedubini syn. nov. with Apteropedetini stat. nov., the replacement of Eumegalodontina (unavailable name) with Lesinina stat. nov., and the designation of Acanthodidae as nomen oblitum with respect to Pleminiae (nomen protectum). To reduce confusion in future, I recommend that all new family-group names be clearly proposed as new, with a correct rank, stem, suffix, and diagnosis, that informal groupings are explicitly proposed as informal, and that formal names are used and proposed in place of informal names wherever possible. I additionally propose that the suffixes -iti and -ita be used for all supertribe and infratribe rankings within the Tettigoniidae. Finally, I discuss the various names that have been used for taxa between the ranks of family and subfamily, with the recommendation that informal 'group' and 'clade' names with unambiguous suffixes are formed from available subfamily names.