On the nomenclature ofPan paniscus

In 1929 a subspecies of chimpanzee was classified asPan satyrus paniscus, a subspecies of theeastern chimpanzee, and elevated to species level,Pan paniscus, in 1933. Review of the literature indicates that this ape type was known since 1881 from several locations throughout the Congo Basin and first scientifically described in 1887 asTroglodytes niger var.marungensis, a subspecies of thewestern chimpanzee. The evidence presented here demonstrates that the synonymmarungensis was known and used as an earlier name. According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the earliest name awarded to a species is the one which has to be recognized in use. However, maintaining the emphasis on stability and assuming that to change the name would cause considerable confusion in the literature, it is this author's recommendation that the earlier namemarungensis be suppressed and the later synonympaniscus be conserved while an application is being considered for ruling by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.     

Thielavia heterothallica spec. nov., die perfekte Form von Chrysosporium thermophilum

Thielavia heterothallica spec. nov. is described as a heterothallic, thermophilic fungus with spherical, black, non-ostiolatecleistothecia; ellipsoidal, evanescent asci which contain eight one-celled ellipsoidal ascospores, darkening to deep brown to black, with one germ pore. The conidial state is Chrysosporium thermophilum (Apinis) von Klopotek.

     

Isolation and properties of ovine [1-pyroglutamic acid]-β-lipoprotein

A new form of ovine β-lipotropin has been isolated by partition chromatography on agarose gel. All the evidence is consistent with the conclusion that its structure is identical to that of ovine β-lipotropin with the exception that the glutamic acid residue in position 1 was replaced by a pyroglutamic acid residue. Its lipolytic activity in isolated rabbit fat cells was about one-half that of β-lipotropin.     

Terminology and nomenclature of the cytoskeletal elements associated with the flagellar/ciliary apparatus in protists

Summary The terminology used to describe the cytoskeleton of protists is sometimes redundant and confusing. The independent origins of protistology from studies on algae, fungi, and protozoans led to these problems. Additionally, recent studies indicate that seemingly unrelated taxa form new, monophyletic groups. However, homologous structures that support monophyly are difficult to identify when the literature is published in journals restricted to specific fields or when the terminology is in duplicate or triplicate. The purpose of this paper is to establish clear definitions, identify synonyms, and indicate homologies where possible.     

The “Plastotype Problem” in Ichnological Taxonomy

Abstract

When naming ichnotaxa based on uncollectable trace fossils, the holotype is the actual ichnofossil in the outcrop, though some ichnologists identify the holotype as a replica (cast) held in a museum collection, and refer to it as a “plastotype,” although not all such replicas are made from plaster. Nevertheless, through its Code, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) makes it clear that an artificial, human-made replica (plaster cast or otherwise) is not eligible to be the holotype of an ichnotaxon. This directive is potentially destabilizing to much ichnological taxonomy, which is based on holotypes left in the field that have disappeared or will disappear. One possible solution for ichnologists will be to petition the ICZN to recognize that artificial, human-made replicas of ichnofossils can serve as name-bearing types. These may best be called “axiotypes” (from the Greek axios, meaning “of equal value”).