Abstract
In their careful analysis of python phylogeny and evolution, Esquerré et al. (2020) proposed the new genus-series nomen Nawaran for the Oenpelli python, Simalia oenpelliensis (Gow, 1977). However, Nawaran is a junior synonym of Nyctophilopython Wells & Wellington, 1985, a name that was validly, though controversially, published in compliance with the Code. Furthermore, while the nomen Nawaran initially appeared in an “early view” of the article on or about 21 May 2020, it was not registered on Zoobank until 23 September 2020 and did not become available for the purposes of zoological nomenclature until 30 November 2020, the date of the printed publication according to Article 21.3 of the Code. Complications for nomenclature resulting from “pre-publications” and lapses with Zoobank registration are not uncommon, and we urge taxonomists considering the erection of new nomina to give careful attention to the nomenclatural rules of the Code.
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[1] The volume in which this distinct section on “creeping animals” was published is entitled De Diergaarden van vroegeren en lateren Tijd inzonderheid de Diergaarde van het Koninklijk Zoölogisch Genootschap Natura Artis Magistra te Amsterdam [The Zoos of the past and today, especially the Zoo of the Royal Zoological Society Natura Artis Magistra of Amsterdam] with a title page identifying P.H. Witkamp as author. A general section outlining the history of zoos (pages I–XXVIII) is followed by a 292-page section on birds (De Vogels), a 174-page section on mammals (De Zoogdieren), and a 64-page section on amphibians and reptiles (De Kruipende Dieren). Each of the three animal sections is individually numbered beginning with page 1. At the end, after three index pages and three empty pages, there is a second title page, which shows that the animal sections were written by Schlegel, and only the historical introduction (the pages numbered with Roman numerals) by Witkamp. We therefore assign to the section relevant here the number 4.
[2] In 1857, Gebroeders van Es was the first Dutch printer to install a steam engine on their premises to generate power for their printing operation (Estermann et al. 1987).