Ordinal names in the Phaeophyceae

Abstract

Two kinds of ordinal names are authorized by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN): descriptive names, to which the principle of typification does not apply; and names based on legitimate generic names, which take as their type the type of the generic name. While it is not mandatory to follow priority when applying names of taxa above the rank of family, it is recommended that priority be followed when choosing among self-typifying names. Valid publication of all names at all ranks requires an accompanying description or a reference to a previously published description. Names of non-fossil algae published on or after 1 January 1958 must be accompanied by a Latin description. Determining which author first validly published a name of a suprageneric taxon and in which publication is often made difficult by the failure of an author to signal a new name and by the use of categories and endings not authorized by the ICBN. A list of validly published names of orders in the Phaeophyceae is presented, comprising 22 self-typifying names and 17 descriptive names. In addition, the name Ralfsiales, although it has not yet been validly published, is included because it is in current use.