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Conserved name

In biological nomenclature, a conserved name (Latin: nomen conservandum) is a scientific name granted special protection to ensure taxonomic stability by overriding the principle of priority, allowing it to supersede an earlier valid name that would otherwise take precedence.^[1]^[2]^[3] This mechanism applies across major codes governing the naming of organisms, including plants, animals, and bacteria, where later names widely used in scientific literature are preserved to avoid disruptive reclassifications.^[1]^[4]^[3] Under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), conserved names for families, genera, and species are listed in Appendices II–IV and are legitimate despite potential initial invalidity due to priority or homonymy.^[1] These names are protected against both homotypic (same type) and specified heterotypic (different type) synonyms, with their types and spellings fixed unless altered through formal proposals to the International Association for Plant Taxonomy.^[1] For instance, the species name Lycopersicon esculentum (now Solanum lycopersicum) was conserved over an earlier homotypic synonym to maintain its widespread use for the tomato.^[1] Similarly, in bacterial nomenclature per the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP), conserved names must be used in place of earlier synonyms or homonyms, with designations made exclusively by the Judicial Commission to preserve established usage.^[3] In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the equivalent status is termed nomen protectum, applied to a junior name given precedence over a senior synonym or homonym when it has become the prevailing usage—defined as appearing in at least 25 works by at least 10 authors over 10 years within the last 50 years, with the senior name unused as valid after 1899.^[2] The suppressed senior name is designated nomen oblitum (forgotten name), and both must be cited with evidence in publications invoking this reversal.^[2] If criteria are not met or stability is threatened, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature may rule on conservation through formal applications.^[2] This approach underscores the balance between historical priority and practical utility in zoological taxonomy.^[4]

General Principles

Definition

A conserved name refers to a scientific name in biological nomenclature that an international body has officially preserved and granted priority, even though it contravenes standard rules such as those of publication priority, spelling (orthography), or type specimen designation.^[5] In botanical nomenclature under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), it is formally known as nomen conservandum (abbreviated as nom. cons.). The equivalent in zoological nomenclature under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is nomen protectum. This designation applies across disciplines like botany and zoology, where the name is ruled valid despite being junior to an earlier synonym or otherwise invalid under normal criteria. In contrast to the prevailing principle of priority in nomenclature, which mandates that the earliest validly published name for a taxon—known as the senior synonym—takes precedence unless otherwise specified, a conserved name overrides this by explicit ruling to protect established usage.^[2] Such conservation ensures that a name, potentially invalid due to later discovery of an overlooked senior homonym or orthographic error, remains in force for the taxon it denotes.^[6] The term nomen conservandum derives from Latin, with nomen signifying "name" and conservandum as the gerundive form of conservare, meaning "to be preserved" or "to be conserved." This etymology underscores the intent to safeguard nomenclature from disruptive changes. Conserved names typically pertain to taxonomic ranks such as genera, families, and species, though in some codes they may extend to subdivisions of genera or infraspecific ranks.^[5]

Purpose and Rationale

The primary goal of conserved names in biological nomenclature is to prevent disruptive changes to taxonomic designations arising from strict application of priority rules or technical invalidities, thereby ensuring long-term stability in scientific communication for well-established taxa.^[7]^[8] This mechanism safeguards the continuity of names that have become embedded in extensive literature, databases, and applied fields such as conservation biology, where abrupt alterations could lead to misidentification or loss of historical data continuity. By prioritizing usage over absolute precedence in exceptional cases, conserved names uphold the foundational principle of nomenclatural stability, allowing researchers across generations and disciplines to reference taxa unambiguously.^[9] The rationale for conserved names lies in balancing the rigorous adherence to nomenclatural codes—such as the principle of priority—with the practical imperatives of widespread adoption and utility. When a name, though junior or otherwise invalid under the codes, has achieved broad acceptance due to its descriptive accuracy or historical precedence in usage, conservation intervenes to preserve it against lesser-known alternatives that could cause widespread disruption.^[7]^[8] This approach recognizes that nomenclature serves not only taxonomic precision but also the broader needs of scientific discourse, where stability fosters reliability in cross-cultural and interdisciplinary exchanges.^[9] Historically, the concept of conserved names emerged in the early 20th century amid efforts to resolve nomenclatural conflicts stemming from the chaotic pre-code era of publications, particularly after Linnaeus. The first formal provisions appeared in the 1905 Vienna International Botanical Congress, leading to the 1906 Vienna Rules for botanical nomenclature, which introduced lists of conserved generic names to protect them from displacement by earlier but obscure synonyms.^[10] Parallel developments in zoological nomenclature followed suit, with similar stability measures codified to address analogous issues in animal taxonomy. These innovations marked a shift toward pragmatic governance, ensuring that evolving codes could adapt without undermining established knowledge.^[11] Among the key benefits, conserved names reduce confusion across scientific literature and digital repositories, facilitating efficient retrieval and analysis of biodiversity data essential for global conservation initiatives. They also promote economic and educational consistency by minimizing the costs associated with renaming in textbooks, policy documents, and commercial applications like agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Ultimately, this stability enhances the universality of biological nomenclature, supporting equitable international collaboration and the long-term preservation of taxonomic heritage.^[9]^[7]

Botanical Nomenclature

Conservation

In botanical nomenclature, the conservation of names is governed by Article 14 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN, Madrid Code, 2025), which allows for the conservation of family, genus, or species names to avoid disadvantageous nomenclatural changes and promote stability.^[1] A conserved name (nomen conservandum, nom. cons.) is legitimate and takes precedence over earlier names, even if it would otherwise be illegitimate due to priority or homonymy.^[1] Conservation applies at different taxonomic ranks: for families (Appendix II), conserved against all earlier homonyms and specified heterotypic synonyms; for genera (Appendix III), conserved against earlier homotypic synonyms and listed heterotypic synonyms, with the option to conserve a particular type; for species (Appendix IV), conserved against all listed rejected names and combinations based on them.^[1] The type and spelling of a conserved name are fixed unless changed by the International Botanical Congress.^[1] This mechanism ensures that widely used names, such as Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato, conserved in 1997 over earlier Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), remain stable despite historical priority.^[1] Criteria emphasize prevailing usage in taxonomic literature, with proposals requiring evidence that strict priority would cause more harm than benefit. Recent examples include the conservation of two oak names (Quercus spp.) ratified at the Twentieth International Botanical Congress in Madrid (July 2024), stabilizing nomenclature for these trees.^[12] The Madrid Code (2025) maintains these provisions without major changes to Article 14 but introduces related updates, such as rejecting derogatory names under Article 51.2 (effective 2026).^[13]

Rejection

In botanical nomenclature, the rejection of names is governed by Article 56 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), which permits the proposal for rejection of any name—at any rank—or an entire published work if its application would cause a disadvantageous nomenclatural change, thereby undermining stability and universality.^[14]^[15] Rejected names are designated as nomen rejiciendum (nom. rej.) and included in the open-ended list in Appendix V, rendering them unavailable for use while preserving their legitimacy for serving as types or basionyms of higher-ranked names.^[14]^[13] This mechanism operates in two primary ways: as a targeted suppression to support conservation proposals under Article 14 by invalidating conflicting names, or independently when a name or work alone threatens nomenclatural stability, including the rejection of entire works via oppositiones liborum to exclude all names within them.^[14]^[16] A proposal under Article 56 requires a detailed justification published in Taxon, demonstrating clear disadvantages to established usage, and proceeds through review by the General Committee on Nomenclature and relevant specialist committees before final approval by vote at an International Botanical Congress.^[14]^[17] Proposals must explicitly show that retaining the name would disrupt stability more than its rejection, often focusing on cases where priority alone fails to resolve conflicts effectively; while frequently paired with conservation efforts, rejections can proceed standalone if the destabilizing impact is sufficiently demonstrated.^[14]^[16] Common applications include the suppression of junior homonyms that, despite illegitimacy under Article 53, persist in causing confusion, or superfluous names under Article 52 that hinder taxonomic clarity.^[18]^[14] Representative examples illustrate these principles: the name Magnolia tomentosa Thunb. (1794), originally in Thymelaeaceae but conflicting with Magnoliaceae usage, was rejected under Article 56 to maintain nomenclatural stability for the genus Magnolia.^[18] Similarly, superfluous names like certain junior synonyms in algal taxa have been suppressed to prioritize widely accepted usage.^[14] The Madrid Code (2025 edition of the ICN) refined Article 56 by incorporating provisions for rejecting derogatory names under new Article 51.2 (effective for names published on or after 1 January 2026), with clarified examples emphasizing offensive epithets in cyanobacterial and fungal nomenclature, such as replacements of "caffra"-derived terms with neutral alternatives like afra to enhance inclusivity without retroactive invalidation.^[16]^[13] These updates addressed approximately 70 fungal and 13 algal (including cyanobacterial) epithets, prioritizing stability while aligning with ethical considerations in nomenclature.^[16]

Procedure

Proposals to conserve or reject names in botanical nomenclature are submitted under Articles 14 and 56 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) by publishing a detailed case in the journal Taxon, the official publication of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT).^[19] The proposal must include a formal statement (e.g., "The following name is conserved against the following synonyms"), details on types, and a balanced discussion of cases for and against, limited to 1200 words, with abbreviated citations.^[19] Submissions are sent to the editors of Taxon ([email protected]) for initial review, ensuring compliance with guidelines.^[19] Once published in Taxon, the proposal is referred to the General Committee on Nomenclature, which assesses merit and forwards it to relevant permanent specialist committees (e.g., for vascular plants, bryophytes, fungi) for taxonomic evaluation.^[1] Committees provide recommendations based on evidence of usage and stability impacts, with decisions tracked in databases like the Smithsonian's proposals index.^[18] Final approval requires a two-thirds majority vote at the Nomenclature Section of the International Botanical Congress (IBC), held every six years; the most recent was the Twentieth IBC in Madrid (July 2024).^[20]^[17] Approved proposals become effective upon publication of the Committee's notification in Taxon, binding on all subsequent nomenclature. The process typically takes 2–4 years, from submission to Congress ratification. The Madrid Code (2025) streamlines this with voluntary name registration but retains core procedures. Recent activity includes 447 proposals debated at the 2024 Madrid Congress, with several conservations ratified.^[13] Appeals or revisions follow the same process without a formal appeals mechanism.^[19]

Effects

A conserved name under the ICN (Article 14) is deemed legitimate and has precedence over any earlier name it supersedes, regardless of priority or other rules that would otherwise invalidate it.^[1] This includes protection against homotypic (same type) and specified heterotypic (different type) synonyms, with the conserved name's type fixed to ensure consistent application.^[1] Initially illegitimate names become valid upon conservation, minimizing disruptions in scientific literature and databases. Rejected names (Article 56) are unavailable but may serve as basionyms or types for higher taxa.^[14] These rulings promote nomenclatural stability and universality, allowing taxonomists to retain familiar names like Chrysanthemum L. (conserved over Dendranthema (DC.) Des Moul.) without reclassifying vast bodies of work.^[21] Effects are prospective from the date of approval, not retroactive, preserving historical publications. In practice, this balances priority with usage, particularly for economically important plants or widespread species, and integrates with global resources like the World Flora Online.^[13] The Madrid Code (2025) enhances this by addressing derogatory names, ensuring ethical stability without broad invalidations.^[13] Limitations apply only to algae, fungi, and plants under ICN jurisdiction.

Documentation

Documentation of conserved and rejected names in botanical nomenclature is maintained in Appendices II–V of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN, Madrid Code, 2025). Appendix II lists conserved family-group names; Appendix III, conserved genera and their types; Appendix IV, conserved species; and Appendix V, rejected names.^[22] These open-ended lists are updated following approvals at International Botanical Congresses and published in Taxon.^[23] Proposals and committee reports are archived in Taxon (since 1951 for conservation, 1975 for rejection) and digitized databases, such as the Smithsonian Institution's online index of proposals for conservation, protection, and rejection.^[18] The full ICN and appendices are freely available on the IAPT website, with the latest edition (Madrid Code) incorporating 2024 Congress decisions.^[13] As of November 2025, recent additions include oak genus names from 2024 rulings, accessible via searchable tools like the International Plant Names Index (IPNI).^[12] The IAPT oversees maintenance to ensure global accessibility and consistency.^[24]

Zoological Nomenclature

Conservation

In zoological nomenclature, the conservation of names is governed by Articles 81 and 23 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 4th edition, 1999, with subsequent amendments), which empower the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to exercise plenary powers for overriding strict rules on priority, homonymy, or type fixation when necessary to maintain nomenclatural order.^[4] Under Article 81, the Commission may suspend or modify provisions of the Code (Articles 1–76) in specific cases to achieve stability and universality, including by conserving junior names, suppressing conflicting senior synonyms or homonyms, or validating otherwise unavailable works.^[25] Article 23 complements this by applying the principle of priority as a default but allowing the Commission, via plenary powers, to designate a junior synonym in prevailing usage as a nomen protectum while suppressing a disused senior name as a nomen oblitum, provided the junior name has been used as valid by at least 10 authors in at least 25 publications over the last 50 years and encompassing at least 10 years of usage.^[2] Conservation applies to specific names (species-group taxa), generic names, and family-group names, often involving the designation of neotypes to fix nomenclature or the suppression of alternative names to resolve ambiguities.^[25] For instance, the Commission may conserve a name by placing it on an Official List while rendering competing names permanently invalid, ensuring the conserved name's type species retains its status even if suppressed elsewhere.^[26] This mechanism prioritizes practical taxonomy over rigid adherence to historical priority, particularly when a name's suppression would disrupt established literature. The primary criteria for invoking conservation emphasize promoting nomenclatural stability and universality, with the name in question demonstrating prevailing usage and no recent disruptions from electronic publications or other acts clarified by post-2012 amendments to the Code.^[27] Applications must show that strict Code application would cause confusion, and the Commission evaluates based on widespread acceptance in recent works, avoiding interventions for minor or speculative issues.^[2] Notable examples include Opinion 1371 (1986), where the Commission conserved the generic name Pachycephalosaurus Brown & Schlaikjer, 1943 (Dinosauria), by suppressing the senior synonym Tylosteus Leidy, 1872, due to the former's established usage in paleontological literature despite priority rules.^[28] More recently, Case 3811 addressed the conservation of Aplysia spuria Krauss, 1848 (Gastropoda, Aplysiidae) by proposing its removal from the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Specific Names, resolving a long-standing suppression to align with current taxonomy; the case was closed in 2019 following Commission approval.^[29] An ongoing example is Case 3878 (published 2024), which proposes conserving current usage of Andrena ovatula (Hymenoptera) by designating a neotype for Melitta ovatula Kirby, 1802, to stabilize bee nomenclature amid type locality uncertainties; the case remains open as of November 2025.^[30] As of 2025, no major amendments to conservation provisions have occurred since the 1999 Code, though 2023 publications of the Commission's amended Constitution (ratified 2022) enhance procedural efficiency for plenary rulings by streamlining membership and voting.^[31] A 2025 Declaration 47 added examples to Article 13.1.1 on molecular data but does not alter conservation mechanisms.^[32]

Suppression

In zoological nomenclature, suppression refers to the invalidation of specific names, works, or nomenclatural acts by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) to promote stability, often as a counterpart to conservation efforts. This mechanism is primarily governed by Articles 40, 55, and 81 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN Code). Article 40 addresses the invalidity of family-group names due to homonymy or suppression of their type-genus names, while Article 55 deals with homonymy among family-group names, allowing suppression to resolve conflicts unless the senior homonym qualifies as a nomen oblitum. Article 81 empowers the Commission to use its plenary powers to totally or partially suppress names or works, placing them on the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Names in Zoology or the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Works in Zoological Nomenclature, thereby rendering them unavailable for nomenclatural purposes and exempt from the Principle of Priority.^[33]^[34]^[25] Suppression occurs in two main types: specific actions tied to conservation, where junior homonyms, synonyms, or destabilizing elements are invalidated to validate a preferred name; and general suppressions, such as designating a senior name as a nomen oblitum under Article 23.9.2 if it has been unused for over 50 years since 1899 and a junior nomen protectum has been widely adopted. These measures target junior homonyms, objective synonyms, or publications causing nomenclatural confusion, ensuring that suppressed elements do not compete with established usage.^[2]^[25] The criteria for suppression emphasize demonstrated nomenclatural instability, such as widespread disruption to taxonomy or usage, and are typically resolved through plenary rulings via Commission Opinions following applications under Article 81. Entire works may be suppressed if they introduce pervasive confusion, as seen in cases involving pre-Linnaean or inadequately documented publications. For instance, in Opinion 1371 (1986), the ICZN suppressed the genus Tylosteus Leidy, 1872, a senior synonym based on fragmentary material, to conserve Pachycephalosaurus Brown & Schlaikjer, 1943, which had become the standard name for the iconic pachycephalosaurid dinosaur despite its junior status. More recently, suppressions have addressed retracted works; Declaration 46 (ratified 2023) amended Article 8 to clarify that retractions do not retroactively invalidate previously available names, but the Commission can still suppress such works under plenary powers if they cause instability, as in cases involving erroneous electronic publications.^[35] Amendments to the ICZN Constitution, ratified by the International Union of Biological Sciences in June 2022 and effective from 2023, have strengthened provisions for handling suppressed electronic publications by aligning them with print works under Article 8, facilitating plenary suppression of digital content that fails stability criteria without affecting prior valid acts.^[36]^[37]

Procedure

Petitions for the conservation of a name or suppression of a name in zoological nomenclature are submitted to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) as formal applications, known as "Cases," to invoke the Commission's plenary powers under Articles 78–81 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN Code).^[27] These submissions must be made electronically to the Executive Secretary at [email protected], including a detailed manuscript formatted according to the ICZN's instructions for authors.^[38] The application requires an abstract outlining the purpose, the nomenclatural problem, relevant Code articles, affected taxa, and proposed actions; keywords; and numbered paragraphs providing the historical context, justification based on evidence of prevailing usage and potential instability if no ruling is made, and specific formal proposals (e.g., "(1) That the name be placed on the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology"). Supporting evidence includes bibliographic references to publications demonstrating usage, such as citation counts or taxonomic works, and templates provided by the ICZN for common scenarios like homonymy or synonymy should be used to ensure completeness.^[39] Applications are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and external reviewers for clarity and merit, with revisions requested if necessary before acceptance for publication in the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature (BZN).^[38] Once published in the BZN, the Case invites public comments from the zoological community, which are solicited for a minimum of eight months to allow deliberation and input on the proposed ruling.^[40] Comments, submitted via email to the Secretariat, may support, oppose, or suggest alternatives and are considered by the Commission without formal weighting but to promote consensus and stability. Provisional rulings may be issued in urgent cases, but most proceed to full review. The Commission, comprising elected commissioners, then deliberates on the Case during its sessions or via correspondence.^[27] The final decision is made by a plenary vote of the Commission, requiring approval from at least one-quarter of its members for plenary power applications like conservation or suppression; the voting period is typically three months after dispatch of voting papers.^[40] The ruling is formalized as an Opinion, published in the BZN, and becomes effective immediately upon publication, binding on zoological nomenclature worldwide.^[41] The entire process from submission to Opinion typically spans 1–3 years, influenced by publication schedules, comment periods, and Commission meetings, with no major procedural changes implemented since the 2023 amendments to the Commission's Constitution.^[31] Continuity is maintained through periodic elections, such as those held in February 2025, ensuring ongoing expertise without disrupting case handling.^[42] Following a favorable ruling, the conserved name is placed on the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology (or equivalent for other ranks) or the suppressed name on the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Names, respectively, with details archived in the ICZN's documentation; appeals are rare and handled ad hoc without a formal process, as each Case is decided on its merits.^[27]^[41]

Effects

Upon a ruling by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) under its plenary powers (Article 81 of the Code), a conserved name is placed on the Official List of Names in Zoology, rendering it available and valid with precedence over any competing senior synonyms, regardless of publication dates or priority rules that would otherwise apply.^[41]^[25] Conversely, a suppressed name is entered into the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Names in Zoology, making it permanently unavailable for use in nomenclature, even if it technically meets the criteria for availability under the Code.^[41] These actions enforce stability by overriding strict adherence to priority, ensuring that widely accepted names prevail to minimize confusion in taxonomic literature.^[43] Such rulings also extend to type designations, permitting the ICZN to validate or fix neotypes or lectotypes when necessary to align nomenclature with established taxonomy, thereby resolving ambiguities in type material without necessitating widespread reclassification.^[25] This approach promotes minimal disruption, as the Commission prioritizes continuity in usage over rigid historical precedence, allowing taxonomists to maintain existing classifications with confidence.^[27] The broader implications of these rulings enhance nomenclatural stability across scientific domains, particularly in stabilizing fossil records where ambiguous names could otherwise fragment paleontological interpretations, and in biodiversity databases such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), which integrates ICZN-approved names to standardize global species inventories.^[27] Rulings are binding on all subsequent zoological nomenclature from their publication date in the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature but are not retroactive in a way that invalidates prior publications or acts unless explicitly stated, preserving the integrity of historical literature.^[41] However, these effects are limited to names of animals under ICZN jurisdiction and do not extend to plants, bacteria, or other organisms governed by different codes; recent amendments, such as Declaration 46 (2023), further clarify that disclaimers or retractions of published works do not affect the availability of pre-existing nomenclatural acts.^[35] A notable case study is the 1986 conservation of the dinosaur genus Pachycephalosaurus Brown & Schlaikjer, 1943 (Opinion 1371), which granted precedence over the earlier but obscure Tylosteus Leidy, 1872, despite the latter's priority. This ruling preserved the familiar name in widespread use across paleontological literature, preventing a disruptive rename that would have required revising thousands of references in studies of Late Cretaceous ornithischian dinosaurs, thereby maintaining continuity in research on pachycephalosaurid evolution and behavior without altering established phylogenetic frameworks.

Documentation

The documentation of conserved and suppressed names under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is primarily maintained through the Official Lists and Indexes of Names and Works in Zoology, detailed as Appendices A–D within the Code itself. Appendix A comprises the Official List of Works Approved as Available for Zoological Nomenclature, while Appendices B, C, and D cover the Official Lists of Family-Group Names, Generic Names, and Specific Names in Zoology, respectively; these lists protect names by granting them stability via the Commission's plenary powers, with updates incorporated following formal rulings.^[44]^[45] Rulings on conservation and suppression are published as numbered Opinions and Directions in the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature (BZN), the ICZN's official periodical issued quarterly. The complete ICZN Code (fourth edition, 1999) and its associated lists are freely accessible online via the ICZN website, incorporating amendments through Declaration 47, which adds examples to Article 13.1.1 to clarify the use of molecular data in nomenclature.^[43]^[46] Historical Opinions, originating from the Commission's establishment in 1895, are digitized and available through archives such as the Biodiversity Heritage Library.^[47] Ongoing updates to the documentation occur via active cases published in the BZN, such as those in Volume 81 (2024), including Opinion 2503 (Case 3650) confirming the availability of Tapirus pygmaeus van Roosmalen & van Hooft, 2013 (Mammalia, Tapiridae). The Commission's 2025 elections, held on 17 February, elected eight new members to sustain oversight of these records. Access to the materials is provided in free PDF and digital formats on the ICZN website, with a searchable inventory supported by the List of Available Names (LAN) project for names under consideration or protection.^[48]^[49]^[50] Maintenance of the documentation extends to indices of suppressed works and names, compiled in the Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Works (Appendix F) and Official Index of Rejected and Invalid Names (Appendix E), ensuring comprehensive tracking of invalidated elements. No major expansions to the core lists were recorded in 2024–2025 beyond standard Opinion issuances. The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature centrally oversees this archival system to promote global accessibility and nomenclatural consistency.^[44]^[48]

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[34]
Declaration 46 – Amendment of Article 8
Names and nomenclatural acts that became available when first published do not become unavailable when the original work has been retracted.
[35]
Appendices - International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
Official List of Family-Group Names in Zoology. Official List of Generic Names in Zoology. Official List of Specific Names in Zoology. (See also. List of ...
[36]
[PDF] Official Lists and Indexes of Names in Zoology
Mar 31, 2012 · The Official Lists and Indexes of zoological names, updated March 2012, include family, generic, and specific names. Bold names are available, ...
[37]
Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature - Biotaxa
Dec 31, 2024 · Rulings of the Commission. Opinion 2501 (Case 3501) – Acarus ... name conserved. International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.
[38]
The Bulletin of zoological nomenclature - Biodiversity Heritage Library
Mar 11, 2009 · ... Opinions ... Digitized with the permission of the rights holder. Rights Holder: International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).
[39]
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
The ICZN is responsible for producing the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature - a set of rules for the naming of animals and the resolution of ...Why is the ICZN Important? · About the ICZN · ICZN Publications · The Code
[40]
List of Available Names | International Commission on Zoological ...
The List of Available Names (LAN) is an inventory of names with specific scope in time and content, and a cumulative index of names for zoological nomenclature.
[41]
Article 55. Family-group names
55.3.1. Such a case involving family-group names must be referred to the Commission for a ruling to remove homonymy unless the senior homonym is a nomen oblitum ...
[42]
Contents - International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
A name established expressly to replace an already established name. A nominal taxon denoted by a new replacement name (nomen novum) has the same name-bearing ...
[43]
Constitution and Bylaws of the ICZN
This proposed amendment to the Constitution of the ICZN will help the Commission clarify its position in fulfilling its aim of promoting stability and ...Missing: 2023 | Show results with:2023
[44]
Article 8 - International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
... conserved name. See under name. conserved work. See under work. Constitution, n. An abbreviation of the title "The Constitution of the International ...