International Code Of Nomenclature Research Articles

Is Delicata Krammer a validly published genus name? Trying to put light on Article 20.2

SummaryThis paper delves into the intricacies of botanical nomenclature, specifically focusing on the interpretation and application of Art. 20.2 of the International Code of Nomenclature (ICN). It critically analyzes the case of Delicata Krammer, against the backdrop of Art. 20.2. The investigation shows that Delicata does not coincide with any established Latin technical term used in morphology and hence fulfills the ICN requirements, confirming its validity. This finding highlights the need for clearer guidelines in distinguishing descriptive Latin terms from technical terms used in morphology. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse in botanical taxonomy by advocating for revised practices and interpretations of nomenclatural rules, ensuring stability and precision in the naming of taxa.

Validation of the names Cyanobacterium and Cyanobacterium stanieri, and proposal of Cyanobacteriota phyl. nov.

The decision by the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) to place the rank of phylum under the rules of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP), with phylum names ending in -ota based on the name of a type genus, enables the valid publication of the phylum name Cyanobacteriota with Cyanobacterium as the type genus. The names Cyanobacterium and its type species Cyanobacterium stanieri were effectively published in 1983 by Rippka and Cohen-Bazire, but the names were not validly published under the rules of the ICNP (then named the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria) or the rules of the ICN (International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, then named the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature). We here propose the names Cyanobacterium gen. nov and Cyanobacterium stanieri sp. nov. for valid publication under the provisions of the ICN. Upon validation these names are also validly published under the ICNP according to General Consideration 5 and Rule 30. We also propose the phylum name Cyanobacteriota phyl. nov. under the rules of the ICNP.

Lectotypification of <i>Dendrobium heyneanum</i> Lindl. (Orchidaceae)

Dendrobium heyneanum Lindl. is lectotypified in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature (ICN).

PhycoBank: Repository for algal novelties

The International Code of Nomenclature (ICN) for algae, fungi, and plants calls for indexing of names in nomenclatural repositories (Turland 2018, Art. 42). Scientific names, new combinations, validations, and typifications of algae are novelties tracked by PhycoBank, the registration system for algae. PhycoBank was established and institutionalized at the Botanic Garden Berlin as the repository for nomenclatural acts concerning algae. Since June 2018, PhycoBank staff have been operating the registration system permanently. All data entered into the system undergo a curatorial process to assure a high level of data quality. PhycoBank’s three main components comprise a user-friendly data entry web application available for all registered submitters (self-registration allowed) and curators, a public data access portal, and a search engine that integrates most of the larger online repositories for algae names. The latter is not only a prerequisite for reliable data curation during the registration process but also a valuable, publicly available online tool for algae names. A fourth component still under development is handling the tight integration of the registration system with the workflow of digital publishers. The resulting data are expected to be of high quality and to have been intensively checked against existing nomenclatural acts worldwide. A crucial requirement for the data entry application is thus an intensive support for data validation and curation. Besides the search index giving access to a huge number of existing external names, the data entry application offers a set of tools for quality assurance. It supports and requires the creation of mostly fully atomized data that strictly follow the rules of the ICN. Additionally, completeness for core data is mandatory. Both, atomization and completeness are a precondition to achieve the required uniqueness in the dataset. Completeness also implies that new combinations can only be registered after or together with their original name. The same applies to bi- or trinomials and the respective uni- and binomials they are built on. The publicly available data portal allows accessing published registrations by searching for scientific names, nomenclatural authors, higher ranks and for each part of a bibliographic reference (such as bibliographic author, journal, title, year) stored in PhycoBank. Being a name centric application PhycoBank is neutral with respect to taxonomic opinions. Therefore, only nomenclatural synonymies (basionym or replaced synonym relationships) are stored in the system and names are not attached to a unique classification. Instead, to facilitate search via higher ranks as required by users, classification information is stored as a directed graph of higher taxa with registered names linking to this graph. By this, searches can be performed on multiple classifications simultaneously and can return all possible matches. PhycoBank uses http-based persistent identifiers (e.g. http://phycobank.org/102170), which makes them resolvable and actionable. These identifiers link to nomenclatural acts only and not to the information in the act. That is, a PhycoBank identifier should not be used to refer to a scientific name even if this name was established in the nomenclatural act. PhycoBank makes use of the application stack offered by the EDIT Platform for Cybertaxonomy (Kohlbecker 2017). However, as registration workflows essentially differ from other taxonomic workflows, a completely new user interface for editing has been developed, which provides the users with an intuitive and fluent user experience despite the high complexity of the data. The Common Data Model (Müller 2017) is the core data model for the Platform and already covered the vast majority of data types and fields required by the registration in terms of completeness and degree of atomization. For PhycoBank, it only needed to be extended by a single data type representing the registration/nomenclatural act itself. As of July 2022, PhycoBank includes 4,332 registrations, of which 4,202 are name novelties (1,523 in preparation or ready, 239 under curation, 2,407 published, and 33 rejected); 130 registrations refer to lectotypes or epitypes of existing names. PhycoBank will apply for recognition as a repository in 2022. This is a prerequisite for a proposal to make registration of nomenclatural acts for algae mandatory. This is possible before, at or after the 20th International Botanical Congress 2024.

Effective typification of Avena pubescens (Poaceae; Pooideae)

Avena pubescens Hudson was previously considered to have been “neotypified” by Röser in 1995 from a specimen preserved at WU herbarium (Wien). However, there is an original element that was included and cited in the protologue. Therefore, the typification by Röser is here briefly discussed and superseded because is being contrary to Art. 9.8 of the International code of nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code). The name is lectotypified in this paper with an illustration published by Ray in 1724. In addition, for a precise circumscription of the name, an epitype is proposed from a complete and well preserved specimen at WU.

Chaenomeles japonica (Maleae, Amygdaloideae, Rosaceae): validation of six Alberts Tīcs’ cultivar names and two new synonyms for the species

Chaenomeles is a rosaceous genus of Asian origin with eight species, including four artificially created hybrids. Several species of this genus are used in many countries for ornamental plants and fruit production. As a result of many years of breeding work in Latvia, Alberts Tīcs selected six Chaenomeles japonica (Japanese quince) cultivars. Unfortunately, when publishing the descriptions of his cultivars, he does not comply with the requirements of the International Code of Nomenclature for cultivated plants because the names of newly introduced cultivars are not validly published. In his publications on the cultivation of Chaenomeles, Tīcs has introduced new scientific names, which have been published without complying with the requirements of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. The validation of Tīcs’ cultivar names has been performed here, and the names—Chaenomeles maulei f. pomifera-inermis  nom. nud. and Chaenomeles ×pomoidea  nom. nud.—have been recognized as new synonyms of Chaenomeles japonica. Descriptions have been provided for all Alberts Tīcs’ cultivars.

Untangling nomenclatural issues of some Amazonian trees of Eperua Aubl. (Leguminosae, Detarioideae, Detariae)

Here we present a further nomenclatural revision of the genus Eperua. We correct the author of one nomenclatural combination, update the status of seven names as illegitimate, and make three lectotypifications and one second-step lectotypification. These nomenclatural changes are made in response to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants that aims at stability of biological nomenclature. The present results show that even revised names may still need to be checked and updated.

Effective typification of the name Linum austricum var. collinum (Linaceae), and its synonym L. immaculatae

The typification of the name Linum austricum subsp. collinum is revisited. The name was “lectotypified” from a specimen kept at BM. This type designation is briefly discussed and superseded because was being contrary to Art. 9.3 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code). In this work, all relevant specimens are carefully evaluated for the purpose to fix the application of the name. We have chosen and designated the best admissible lectotype for this name from the original material. In addition, the lectotype of the name Linum immaculatae, currenty treated as a synonym of Linum austricum subsp. collinum, is designated from a specimen preserved at MA.

Nomenclatural standards of black currant cultivars bred by Sverdlovsk Horticultural Breeding Station. Part I

In the herbarium of cultivated plants of the world, their wild relatives and weeds (WIR) a collection of nomenclatural standards for cultivars of domestic breeding is being created. Nomenclatural standards are carriers of the authenticity of the genetic information of the breeding achievements and should be kept indefinitely in the scientific herbarium collection. A herbarium sample collected with the direct participation of an expert, which can be the author of the cultivar or official representative of the author's breeding organization, is designated as the nomenclature standard. The nomenclatural standard confirms the originality of the cultivar, protects the copyright of its creators. The article publishes the nomenclature standards of 10 black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) cultivars, bred at Sverdlovsk Horticultural Breeding Station from 1983 to 1997 and included into the State Register of Breeding Achievements: Akkord (WIR-54112), Vasilisa (WIR-54115), Vympel (WIR-54118), Globus (WIR-54119), Dobry Dzhinn (WIR-54121), Pilot (WIR-54127), Slavyanka (WIR-54129), Udalets (WIR-54132), Fortuna (WIR-54133), Shaman (WIR-54134). In addition to the description of the nomenclature standards, the distinctive taxonomic and economically valuable traits of each cultivar are given. Herbarium samples of nomenclature standards are made in accordance with the recommendations of the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP), registered in the database "VIR Herbarium" and included in the Herbarium of cultivated plants of the world, their wild relatives and weeds (WIR).

Morphology and Nomenclature of Barsassia (Lycopsida) from the Middle Devonian of West Junggar, Xinjiang, China.

Morphology and nomenclature are essential issues of botany, in which both extant and fossil plant taxa follow the same nomenclature code. Devonian (419.2–358.9 Ma) herbaceous lycopsid Barsassia, one of the earliest coal-forming plants in geological history, possesses a characteristic, easily recognized, step-like stem and has been thought to be an index fossil for dating and correlating the Middle Devonian strata, especially those in the paleoblocks of Siberia, Kazakhstan, Xinjiang, and North China. Here, we systematically study the Devonian lycopsid Barsassia in terms of its morphology and nomenclature, based on the new materials from the Middle Devonian Hujiersite Formation of West Junggar, Xinjiang, China, and the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code). Barsassia ornata is determined as the type species of the genus, and a neotype is designated for that name. Barsassia ornata consists of fan- or rectangular-shaped leaves with awl-shaped or finger-like distal tips. Its leaves are pseudo-whorls and imbricately arranged on the stem surface forming distinct step-like structure.

Effective typification of Ophrys apifera (Orchidaceae; Orchidoideae)

Ophrys apifera Hudson was previously considered to have been lectotypified by Künkele and Baumann in 1998 with an illustration published by Matthias Lobel in 1581. However, Hudson did not include any references to Lobel in the protologue. Therefore, the typification by Künkele and Baumann is here briefly discussed and superseded because is being contrary to Art. 9.3 of the International code of nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code). The name is lectotypified here with an illustration published by Bauhin and Cherler in 1651. Unfortunately, this illustration does not show several diagnostic characters to distinguish O. apifera from other related species. Therefore, for a precise circumscription of the name, an epitype is proposed of a complete specimen preserved at K.

Nomenclature over 5 years in TaxonWorks: Approach, implementation, limitations and outcomes

We are now over four decades into digitally managing the names of Earth's species. As the number of federating (i.e., software that brings together previously disparate projects under a common infrastructure, for example TaxonWorks) and aggregating (e.g., International Plant Name Index, Catalog of Life (CoL)) efforts increase, there remains an unmet need for both the migration forward of old data, and for the production of new, precise and comprehensive nomenclatural catalogs. Given this context, we provide an overview of how TaxonWorks seeks to contribute to this effort, and where it might evolve in the future. In TaxonWorks, when we talk about governed names and relationships, we mean it in the sense of existing international codes of nomenclature (e.g., the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN)). More technically, nomenclature is defined as a set of objective assertions that describe the relationships between the names given to biological taxa and the rules that determine how those names are governed. It is critical to note that this is not the same thing as the relationship between a name and a biological entity, but rather nomenclature in TaxonWorks represents the details of the (governed) relationships between names. Rather than thinking of nomenclature as changing (a verb commonly used to express frustration with biological nomenclature), it is useful to think of nomenclature as a set of data points, which grows over time. For example, when synonymy happens, we do not erase the past, but rather record a new context for the name(s) in question. The biological concept changes, but the nomenclature (names) simply keeps adding up. Behind the scenes, nomenclature in TaxonWorks is represented by a set of nodes and edges, i.e., a mathematical graph, or network (e.g., Fig. 1). Most names (i.e., nodes in the network) are what TaxonWorks calls "protonyms," monomial epithets that are used to construct, for example, bionomial names (not to be confused with "protonym" sensu the ICZN). Protonyms are linked to other protonyms via relationships defined in NOMEN, an ontology that encodes governed rules of nomenclature. Within the system, all data, nodes and edges, can be cited, i.e., linked to a source and therefore anchored in time and tied to authorship, and annotated with a variety of annotation types (e.g., notes, confidence levels, tags). The actual building of the graphs is greatly simplified by multiple user-interfaces that allow scientists to review (e.g. Fig. 2), create, filter, and add to (again, not "change") the nomenclatural history. As in any complex knowledge-representation model, there are outlying scenarios, or edge cases that emerge, making certain human tasks more complex than others. TaxonWorks is no exception, it has limitations in terms of what and how some things can be represented. While many complex representations are hidden by simplified user-interfaces, some, for example, the handling of the ICZN's Family-group name, batch-loading of invalid relationships, and comparative syncing against external resources need more work to simplify the processes presently required to meet catalogers' needs. The depth at which TaxonWorks can capture nomenclature is only really valuable if it can be used by others. This is facilitated by the application programming interface (API) serving its data (https://api.taxonworks.org), serving text files, and by exports to standards like the emerging Catalog of Life Data Package. With reference to real-world problems, we illustrate different ways in which the API can be used, for example, as integrated into spreadsheets, through the use of command line scripts, and serve in the generation of public-facing websites. Behind all this effort are an increasing number of people recording help videos, developing documentation, and troubleshooting software and technical issues. Major contributions have come from developers at many skill levels, from high school to senior software engineers, illustrating that TaxonWorks leads in enabling both technical and domain-based contributions. The health and growth of this community is a key factor in TaxonWork's potential long-term impact in the effort to unify the names of Earth's species.

Typification of the names Santolina ericoides and S. villosa (Asteraceae) revisited

The typification of the species names Santolina ericoides and S. villosa (Asteraceae) are revisited. The name Santolina ericoides has been applied to plants distributed in the Iberian Peninsula and S France, and the name S. villosa has been applied to a taxon endemic to Spain. These species names have recently been neotypified from specimens kept at the herbarium of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle de Paris at P, and at the herbarium PAL (PAL-Gr), respectively. These two type designations are briefly discussed and superseded here because these neotypifications were unnecessary being contrary to Art. 9.8 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code). In this work, all relevant sources, specimens, illustrations, and references cited in the protologues are carefully evaluated for the purpose to fix the application of the names. We have chosen and designated the best admissible lectotype for these two names from the original material.

Revisiting Glaziou and the botany of the second Cruls Mission: three new species and 23 accepted species of Myrcia (Myrtaceae) collected from Goiás, Brazil and a detailed description of his “Goyaz” itinerary

Glaziou was one of the most prominent plant collectors in the history of Brazilian botany. His field expeditions during the second Cruls Mission (1894–1895) in the area now recognized as Goiás and Distrito Federal led him to collect 26 of the 32 species of Myrcia he was to name in his botanical career. Glaziou´s itinerary in the second Cruls Mission was reconstructed and mapped, showing he spent 40% of his collecting days in the present Distrito Federal and 60% in Goiás. His List of Species is now considered a suppressed work by the International Code of Nomenclature for the Algae, Fungi and Plants because he did not fulfill the criteria for formal species description.  After examining over 300 specimens in Brazilian and European herbaria, we concluded that 23 of his names are synonyms of older, currently accepted names. The remaining three names are new species and are here formally described. This work underlines the importance of revisiting historical collections following recent changes in Myrcia taxonomy, to improve the understanding of species diversity in ecologically heterogeneous areas in large, morphologically complex genera such as Myrcia.

Alborzia kermanshahica gen. nov., sp. nov. (Chroococcales, Cyanobacteria), isolated from paddy fields in Iran.

In Iran, polyphasic studies of unicellular cyanobacteria are still scarce, with more emphasis being placed on filamentous cyanobacteria in paddy fields and fresh water regions. In an effort to increase the knowledge of the diversity of unicellular cyanobacteria from paddy fields in Iran, we have isolated and characterized a new unicellular cyanobacterium strain. The strain was studied using a polyphasic approach based on morphological, ecological and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S-23S ITS rRNA gene region. Complementarily, we have searched for the presence of cyanotoxin genes and analysed the pigment content of the strain. Results showed that the strain was morphologically indistinguishable from the genus Chroococcus, but phylogenetic analyses based on the Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood methods placed the strain in a separated monophyletic and highly supported (0.99/98, posterior probability/maximum-likelihood) genus-level cluster, distant from Chroococcus sensu stricto and with Chalicogloea cavernicola as sister taxa. The calculated p-distance for the 16S rRNA gene also reinforced the presence of a new genus, by showing 92 % similarity to C. cavernicola. The D1-D1', Box-B and V3 ITS secondary structures showed the uniqueness of this strain, as it shared no similar pattern with closest genera within the Chroococcales. For all these reasons, and in accordance with the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi and Plants, we here proposed the description of a new genus with the name Alborzia gen. nov. along with the description of a new species, Alborzia kermanshahica sp. nov. (holotype: CCC1399-a; reference strains CCC1399-b; MCC 4116).

Lectotypification of Plagiothecium mauiense, a Hawaiian synonym of Plagiothecium longisetum (Plagiotheciaceae)

In 2020, Plagiothecium mauiense Broth. was recognised as a synonym of P. longisetum Lindb.; however, due to the inability to compare all known original material, the conducted taxonomic analysis was not completed with lectotypification of the name. Syntypes of P. mauiense were found in four American herbaria: Harvard University Herbarium (FH00220142), Miami University Herbarium (MU 000000546), New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY01256708) and Yale University Herbarium (YU 233890). Considering the condition of the found material and Articles 9.3, 9.11 and 9.12 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (Shenzhen Code) that is currently in force, a specimen NY01256708 was proposed to be the lectotype of P. mauiense.

<p class="p1"><strong>Nomenclatural notes in the Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae): miscellaneous part II</strong></p>

Nomenclatural changes and notes are provided for genera in subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Epidendroideae: Orchidaceae) to comply with the International code of nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. The proposed changes include new names and combinations, author citations, spelling and synonymy. Brief notes are also provided.

<strong>Validation of the combination <em>Tectaria pentagonalis</em> (Tectariaceae)</strong>

During the course of sorting out the species of Tectaria Cavanilles (1799: 115, Tectariaceae) in Indochina, I noticed that Tectaria pentagonalis (Phan 2001: 1024) has not validly published. Tectaria pentagonalis seems to be an inadvertent combination, because Phan (2001) did not provide authorship of T. pentagonalis when he made such a combination. The basionym of T. pentagonalis was cited by Phan (2001) in the form “Leptochilus pentagonalis Bonap., 1918”. This citation, according to Art. 41.5 of the International Code of Nomenclature (Turland et al. 2017), does not constitute a full and direct reference to the basionym, because the information of the basionym’s place of valid publication is missing. Thus, T. pentagonalis is justified as invalidly published. So far as I know, the invalidly published Tectaria pentagonalis was also used by Phan (2010) in his another publication and now is adopted in several online resources, such as GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/), Wikipedia (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tectaria), and “Taxonomic Revision of Fern Genus Tectaria Cav. (Tectariaceae) in Thailand” (http://tectaria.myspecies.info/tectaria/tectaria-pentagonalis). For the purpose of legitimately applying T. pentagonalis in nomenclature, here I validly publish this combination and conveniently designate a lectotype for this species.

Plants Seem Prima Facie Indian but Alien In Origin : A Nomenclatural Chaos

The alien species, as the native ones, are assigned two names. These are based on choice of nomenclaturist. The nominclaturists are preforce been forced to adapt the scientific names in accordance with the rules and principles of ICN (International Code of Nomenclature) for uniformity and convenience internationally. The present authors could notice some plant taxa which by their names and on etymological analysis, prima facie, appear to be Indian species. The fact is, however, contrary. When select 26 such species were studied critically for their nativity consulting relevant literature, they turned out to be aliens. Maximum alien species belong to various parts of American continent, while other regions or countries are represented by a few or a single species each. The taxa which appear to be Indian but basically they are aliens, a new term ‘pseudo-native’ for them is proposed. The authors also pointed out necessity to have evaluation regarding exotic status of species of flora of a region for better management of plant-wealth in future.

<strong>Correction of the name <em>Hymenaea osanigraseminae</em> (Detarioideae, Leguminosae)</strong>

A new tree species of Hymenaea L. (Detarioideae, Leguminosae) from Costa Rica, named H. osanigraseminae, was validly published by Aguilar Fernández, Poveda Álvarez & Santamaría-Aguilar (2018) on March 28, 2018. The intention of the authors was to include in the specific epithet a mention of the type locality as well as the color of the seeds. Nevertheless, their final choice (“osanigraseminae”) was wrong, since this epithet does not follow the grammatical Latin rules. Consequently, an orthographical correction is required in accordance with the articles 23.5, 32.2, and 60.1 of the International code of nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Turland et al. 2018).