Case 3748 — Bothriembryon Pilsbry, 1894 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Bothriembryontidae): proposed conservation of the name by designation of Helix melo Quoy & Gaimard, 1832 as the type species of Liparus Albers, 1850

Abstract

The purpose of this application, under Article 67.2 of the Code, is to conserve the current usage of the generic name BothriembryonPilsbry, 1894, a well-established genus of land snail endemic to the southern half of Australia and whose name has been used consistently for over a century. Bothriembryon is a replacement name for LiparusAlbers, 1850, a junior homonym of LiparusOlivier, 1807 (Coleoptera), and automatically takes its type species (Article 67.8). The name is threatened by a change in the type species of Liparus. Although no type species was originally designated for LiparusAlbers, 1850, the two species originally included in Liparus are currently placed in genera of different families. Pilsbry (1894) designated Helix meloQuoy & Gaimard, 1832 as the type species for the replacement name Bothriembryon, but it is invalid as it is not one of the originally included species. Acceptance of either of the originally included species in Liparus would mean the synonymy of Bothriembryon with either PygmipandaIredale, 1933 (type species Bulimus atomatusGray, 1834 by original designation) or LeucotaeniusAlbers & Martens, 1860 (type species Bulimus favanniiLamarck, 1822 by original designation), respectively. To promote nomenclatural stability, it is proposed that all type species fixations for the genus LiparusAlbers, 1850 be set aside, and to designate Helix meloQuoy & Gaimard, 1832 as the type species.