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Re: KillieTalk Digest V2 #1027(nomenclature)
In a message dated 8/20/99 5:29:55 AM, Owner-KillieTalk at AKA_Org writes:
<< From: "Bob Meyer" <bmeyer at parkland_cc.il.us>
Subject: Chattanooga Aquarium
Got my JAKA and BNL and a shipment of fish all today. I am really
confused by the nomenclature changes suggested in the JAKA. Is this a
recommended change or is it official. I can't wait to get the new KMI. >>
Nomenclature is never, ever "official". It is the latest and hopefully the
best assessment of the specific fish and the literature. A species name is
determined by priority of correct publication as well as differentiation on
descriptive features from other species. Genus names are determined by both
the fish similarities to other species and, of course, priority in correct
publication of the name. If you expect the names to never change you are in
for a disappointment, not only in killifish but in most species, even
natives. The complexity and changing nomenclature is, in part due to new and
better techniques for differentiation but also due to an explosion in the
number of new species being discovered, described and imported. The new KMI,
while more official than some other publications, will undoubtedly upset you
because of the many recent changes in nomenclature. It will also be obsolete
as soon as it is published. As always there will be controversy and
differences in adaptation to new names and new separations.
<<If you take a look at the current F&E I am sure that you will find at least
20 errors.>>
If you can identify those errors, please do so. I cannot find any in the
August F&E (except one typo "lacorte") primarily because it has been checked
by Dr. Dan Nielsen before publication.
Lee Harper
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