Neopimus new name, a replacement name for a preoccupied beetle genus Pimus Fagel 1961 with a spider genus Pimus Chamberlin 1947 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae)

Abstract

Neopimus is proposed as a new name for Pimus Fagel, 1961 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae) which was preoccupied by Pimus Chamberlin, 1947 (Arachnida: Araneae: Amaurobiidae). The name Pimus Fagel, 1961 was established for an African beetle genus (type species Pimus tragardhi Fagel, 1961 by original designation) in Coleoptera. It is still used as a valid genus name in the family Staphylinidae (e.g., Thayer and Newton 2005). Presently, the genus includes only 1 species as Pimus tragardhi Fagel, 1961 [South Africa: Kwa Zulu: Natal]. Nevertheless the name Pimus is already occupied. Chamberlin (1947) established an American spider genus Pimus in Araneae. Also it is still used as a valid genus name in the family Amaurobiidae (e.g., Platnick, 2007). Presently, the genus includes 10 species as Pimus desiccatus Leech, 1972 [U.S.A.], Pimus eldorado Leech, 1972 [U.S.A.], Pimus fractus (Chamberlin, 1920) [U.S.A.], Pimus hesperellus Chamberlin, 1947 [U.S.A.], Pimus iviei Leech, 1972 [U.S.A.], Pimus leucus Chamberlin, 1947 [U.S.A.], Pimus napa Leech, 1972 [U.S.A.], Pimus nawtawaketus Leech, 1972 [U.S.A.], Pimus pitus Chamberlin, 1947 [U.S.A.] and Pimus salemensis Leech, 1972 [U.S.A.]. Thus the beetle genus Pimus Fagel, 1961 is a junior homonym of the genus Pimus Chamberlin, 1947. In accordance with Article 60 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, Fourth Edition (1999), we suggest here that the name Neopimus should be erected as a replacement name for Pimus Fagel, 1961 not Pimus Chamberlin, 1947. Etymology: from the Latin prefix ‘‘neo-’’ meaning ‘‘new’’ in English. Summary of nomenclatural changes: