Is Rana pullus Smith, 1921 a junior homonym of Rana gracilis var. pulla Stoliczka, 1870: a nomenclatural analysis of nouns in apposition created by Malcolm A. Smith

Abstract

The amphibian nomina created as nouns in apposition by Malcolm A. Smith are discussed and the etymology and correct names confirmed. The nomen Rana pullus Smith, 1921 is not a homonym of the nomen Rana gracilis var. pulla Stoliczka, 1870, as the first one is a noun in apposition and the second an adjective, and they show more than a one-letter difference as required by the International Code of zoological Nomenclature. The valid name of the species currently known as Alcalus tasanae is therefore Alcalus pullus. Furthermore, the epithets of the following nomina are based on nouns in apposition and should be used accordingly: Megalophrys hasseltii var. pullus Smith, 1921, valid as Leptobrachium pullus; Megalophrys intermedius Smith, 1921, valid as Brachytarsophrys intermedius; Philautus gryllus Smith, 1924, valid as Kurixalus gryllus; Rana cancrivora raja Smith, 1930, invalid synonym of Fejervarya cancrivora; and Rana cataracta Smith, 1922, invalid synonym of Odorrana hosii. The importance to follow the Point 5 of the General Recommendations of the Appendix B of the Code, to state clearly the etymology of names, is highlighted.