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Issue: Vol. 34 No. 1: 17 Nov. 2023
Type: Article
Published: 2023-11-17
DOI: 10.11646/bionomina.34.1.1
Page range: 1-8
Abstract views: 186
PDF downloaded: 1

The document that is not there

University of Padova; Department of Biology; Via Ugo Bassi; 58B; 35131 Padova; Italy
Biodiversity Heritage Library International Code of Zoological Nomenclature preservation of the authentic publication record replacement of potentially offensive names retracted publications Rhinogrades Sassius simplex stability of vernacular names type specimens

Abstract

Zoological nomenclature, the essential tool for exchanging information about the animal world, cannot depart from the principles of universality and stability fixed in the Code as its aim and pursued through the application of rules stemming from the principles of publication, typification and priority. To enforce these rules, we need to preserve and critically evaluate the whole record of publications (and associated specimens) available thus far. Attemps to erase part of this record or to dismiss names or documents as contrary to principles that have nothing to do with the scientific names of animals are increasingly widespread and even creep into a major repository of bibliographic record as the Biodiversity Heritage Library. This trend must be promptly rebutted.

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