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Re: Hubers killidata
Guy Wren wrote:
snip...
> ...the reasons why Cynolebias has been split
> into 4 genera, or does it just state that this is so? If killidata does
> not contain this info, where can it be found. Call me weird but I think
> it would be an interesting read!
Naah! It's really boring. Those not interested should ignore the rest of
this note. ;-)
The reasons would have to be found in Costa's recent publications, I
believe. The name of a species or genus is properly followed by an author's
name and year of publication. That's usually enough to permit a search of
the literature to find his work.
The process is mostly within the academic world of biological (zoological,
to be specific) scientists. New species are preserved and studied, and
taxonomic descriptions published, often in very obscure professional
journals. If the described species is believed to be new, the author can
propose a new name.
Likewise, old genera can be restudied by examining those preserved "type
species" believed to belong to a given genus, and kept in University and
museum collections. The publications are reviewed by a committee, The
International Committee on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). When they deem
the new specific name or generic change is merited, they add them to their
list of approved nomenclature. Major reclassifications are scary, so are
done *very* conservatively.
Confusion about species ID is greatly minimized when the ICZN names are
strictly followed. Failure to do so causes great confusion as when a
hobbyist refers to a "Rollofia" species, when that genus was declared
invalid about 30 years ago. The newby is not only confused, he doesn't even
know the true accepted name so communication with either other hobbyists or
with ichthyologists is complicated considerably.
Prof. Huber has done us all a great service by bringing our hobby up to date
on many of the names we are dealing with. It's not our prerogative to try to
change the ICZN's choice by "common-law" usage. They learned long ago that
bending to such practice is a serious disservice to science, so it does not
work any longer.
To call a Fundulopanchax an Aphyosemion, or to call a Callopanchax a
Rollofia may satisfy someone's ego, but it does, IMHO, make things
unpleasant for most hobbyists. The ICZN provides us a useful framework, and
we should use it to the best of our ability if we wish to stay in
communication with each other.
I know others differ with me on this, and I accept their differences without
agreeing. Likewise, among taxonomists there are "splitters" and "lumpers"
who see minor differences in osteology or color pattern as (respectively)
significant or unimportant. My guess is that the "splitters" are currently
having more influence so Cynolebias is subdivided, for now.
Boring Mode <OFF> :-)
Wright
--
Wright Huntley, Fremont CA, USA, 510 494-8679 huntleyone at home dot com
"DEMOCRACY" is two wolves and a lamb voting on lunch.
"LIBERTY" is a well-armed lamb denying enforcement of the vote.
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