Nomenclature of European Plethodontid salamanders: Speleomantes Dubois, 1984 has precedence over Atylodes Gistel, 1868

Abstract

In a recent paper, Wake et al. (2005) unearthed Atylodes, a long forgotten nomen (see Dubois, 2000) proposed by Gistel in 1868 for the genus of the Sardinian Plethodontidae Speleomantes genei Temminck and Schlegel, 1838 (type species by monotypy). Atylodes Gistel, 1868 is thus an older, long forgotten, subjective synonym of Speleomantes Dubois, 1984 (type species Speleomantes italicus Dunn, 1923) if both are used for a taxon made of all European Plethodontid salamanders. The nomenclatural consequences of this discovery are not clearly exposed nor correctly tackled, however, since they fail to take the steps necessary to protect this nomen under the requirements of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (the Code hereafter) when Atylodes and Speleomantes are in concurrence to designate a taxon. Article 23.9.1 of the Code specifies that “prevailing usage must be maintained when the following conditions are both met: 23.9.1.1 the senior synonym (. . .) has not been used as a valid name after 1899, and 23.9.1.2 the junior synonym (. . .) has been used for a particular taxon, as its presumed valid name, in at least 25 works, published by at least 10 authors in the immediately preceding 50 years and encompassing a span of not less than 10 years”. According to the Code (Article 23.9.2), an author who discovers that both the conditions of Article 23.9.1 are met should cite the two nomina together and state explicitly that the younger nomen is valid, and that the action is taken in accordance with this