Rules have reasons: response to Greay et al. (2019)

D. James Harris

doi:10.1186/s13071-020-04454-y

D. James Harris

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04454-y

Copy DOI

Journal: Parasites & Vectors	Publication Date: Nov 11, 2020
Citations: 1	License type: open-access

Affiliation: University of Porto

Abstract

Recently Greay et al. (Parasit Vectors 11:197, 2018) described several new Apicomplexa parasites from domestic companion animals in Australia. Harris (Parasit Vectors 12;172, 2019) highlighted that these descriptions did not conform to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) rules. Despite Harris (2019) clearly noting “molecular characters can be used to satisfy article 13.1.1 of the code”, in a reply Greay et al. (Parasit Vectors 12:178, 2019) incorrectly state “Harris considers the eight new species…invalid on the basis that only molecular characters were provided”. This was not the case. The ICZN has strict rules regarding species descriptions for good reasons. Here I reiterate why the forms described by Greay et al. (2018) are not valid.

Highlights

Letter to the Editor Greay et al [1] described eight novel Apicomplexan species from ticks taken from pets in Australia, based on 18S rDNA sequence data
Harris [2] reported that these did not conform to International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) rules, in that new names must be accompanied by a description or definition stating in words the characters that differentiate them
They note that codes and committees governing the nomenclature of viral and microorganisms have “largely adopted the use of sequence data to describe novel species”. This may be correct, but is irrelevant since protozoan classification falls under ICZN rules. They state that criticisms of DNA-based species descriptions have been refuted, and I essentially agree; this is not a discussion regarding systematic approaches but a determination of whether ICZN rules have been applied or not

Summary

Introduction

Greay et al (Parasit Vectors 11:197, 2018) described several new Apicomplexa parasites from domestic com‐ panion animals in Australia. Letter to the Editor Greay et al [1] described eight novel Apicomplexan species from ticks taken from pets in Australia, based on 18S rDNA sequence data. Harris [2] reported that these did not conform to International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) rules, in that new names must be accompanied by a description or definition stating in words the characters that differentiate them.

Results

Conclusion