Nomenclature in Sea Anemones Taras A. Zelenchuk Taras A. Zelenchuk Department of Ecology And Evolutionary Biology KU Natural History Museum Sponsored by Dr. Daphne Fautin

General information about Sea Anemones Solitary marine animals that belong to taxonomic order Actiniaria of phylum Cnidaria. Solitary marine animals that belong to taxonomic order Actiniaria of phylum Cnidaria valid species valid species.

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) Commission determines the laws and writes them in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Commission determines the laws and writes them in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Commission has plenary powers to interpret the Code. Commission has plenary powers to interpret the Code. It issues its rulings in the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature. It issues its rulings in the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature.

Scientific Names Scientific name of a species consists of three parts Scientific name of a species consists of three parts – Generic name capitalized and italicized. Ex.: Anemonia – Specific name italicized. Ex.: manjano – Author and year as appears in the original publication of the name. Ex.: Carlgren, 1900 Anemonia manjanoCarlgren, 1900 Anemonia manjano Carlgren, 1900 Hexacorallian Database

Issues Concerning Nomenclature Validity of Publication Validity of Publication Type Designation Type Designation Homonymy Homonymy

Validity of Publication Nomen nudum - a name that lacks a description that makes it distinct from all other taxa. Nomen nudum - a name that lacks a description that makes it distinct from all other taxa. Sometimes nomina nuda also exist as descriptions of genera without a species. Sometimes nomina nuda also exist as descriptions of genera without a species. Such names are ignored in nomenclature until a description is published or in the second case, a species is described in that genus. Such names are ignored in nomenclature until a description is published or in the second case, a species is described in that genus.

Example of a Nomen Nudum Ehrenberg (1834) described a hypothetical genus Mesacmaea. This name was a nomen nudum until Andres (1881) described a species Mesacmaea stellata. Andres gets the credit for describing the genus. Mesacmaea mitchellii (Gosse, 1853)

Type Designation The name-bearing type of a nominal genus or subgenus is a nominal species called the "type species" – ICZN Art The name-bearing type of a nominal genus or subgenus is a nominal species called the "type species" – ICZN Art Type species is most commonly established by Type species is most commonly established by – original designation – monotypy – subsequent designation

Example of Type Designation Genus Tealia Gosse, Genus Tealia Gosse, Type species Type species Actinia felina Linnaeus, Subsequently designated by Carlgren (1949). 89 years and 69 publications after first description. Urticina felina (Linnaeus, 1767)

Homonymy Two or more taxa of the same rank in the same kingdom that have the same name. Two or more taxa of the same rank in the same kingdom that have the same name. Usually resolved by the Principle of Priority Usually resolved by the Principle of Priority There are two types of homonyms: junior and senior. The valid name of a taxon is the oldest available name applied to it, unless that name has been invalidated or another name is given precedence by any provision of the Code or by any ruling of the Commission. – ICZN Art. 23.1

Resolving Homonyms of Genera Senior homonyms need no action. Senior homonyms need no action. A junior homonym must be rejected and replaced either by an available and potentially valid synonym or, for lack of such a name, by a new substitute name. A junior homonym must be rejected and replaced either by an available and potentially valid synonym or, for lack of such a name, by a new substitute name. – ICZN Art – ICZN Art Urticina felina by Danielssen, 1890

Example of Homonymy: Genus Edwardsia has five homonyms: Edwardsia andresi Danielssen, 1890 Crustacean genus Edwardsia Costa, 1834, has been suppressed under the plenary powers of ICZN. Edwardsia w-album Tutt, 1907 Edwardsia brillians Neumoegen, 1880 Edwardsia vivus Koenen, Edwardsia beautempsii de Quatrefages, 1842, was the first species was described in Sea Anemones

Review What goes into resolving nomenclatural issues within a specific name? What goes into resolving nomenclatural issues within a specific name?

Acknowledgments Dr. Daphne Fautin Dr. Daphne Fautin Sigma Xi program Sigma Xi program