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Acropora floresensis Veron, 2000
Species names and/or genus names change repeatedly, and even in the trade, many names that have been used for many years but are no longer scientifically current can still be found. Not only is it difficult to learn these names, but in many cases it is also difficult to find the corresponding explanations.
Here is the explanation of why Acropora pectinatus is now called Acropora floresensis:
Dr. Charlie Veron, the “Godfather of Corals,” described this Acropora stony coral in 2000 as Acropora ‘pectinata’ Veron, 2000, and following a decision by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, it was renamed Acropora “pectinatus” Veron, 2000.
Comments from: The tables have turned: taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of the Acropora hyacinthus (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) complex:
The removal of Acropora pectinata (Brook, 1892) from the synonymy made it clear that Acropora pectinata Veron, 2000 is an invalid junior homonym according to the priority principle (Article 23 of the ICZN Code; International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1999).
This also makes Acropora pectinatus Veron, 2000 a secondary homonym according to Article 57.3 of the ICZN Code.
Furthermore, according to Article 23.9 of the ICZN Code (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1999), a reversal of priority — which would validate Veron's younger homonym as the older name — would only apply if the older homonym had not been used as a valid name after 1899 and the younger homonym had been used as a valid name in at least 25 works published by 10 authors in the previous 50 years.
Neither of these two criteria is met:
At least 15 publications during the 20th century refer to Acropora pectinata (Brook, 1892), while only two prior to 2011 cite Acropora pectinatus Veron, 2000 and two further works after 2011 refer to Acropora pectinata Veron, 2000.
Therefore, in accordance with Article 60.3 of the ICZN Code, we indicate the nomen novum §lat instead of Acropora pectinata Veron, 2000.
Acropora pectinata (Veron, 2000) was described by Wallace et al. (2012) after comparing the holotype of Acropora pectinata (G55801) with three specimens from the QMT collection identified as Acropora acuminata,
in synonymy with Acropora acuminata (Verrill, 1864): G49306 from East Kalimantan, Indonesia, G53696 from the Togian Islands, Indonesia, and G53757 from N. Sulawesi, Indonesia, but surprisingly not with the holotype of Acropora acuminata (YPM 1807).
The type locality of Acropora acuminata is the Kingsmill (Gilbert) Islands in the central Pacific, about 6000 km away from the type locality of §lat or the specimens listed by Wallace et al. (2012).
Furthermore, examination of the holotype of Acropora acuminata suggests that the corallum was probably tree-like, while Wallace (1999) and Wallace et al. (2012) suggest that the species is a tree-like table form.
Although the three specimens listed by Wallace et al. (2012) may be Acropora floresensis, we do not consider the species to be a junior synonym of Acropora acuminata, as Acropora pectinata should never have been synonymized with Acropora acuminata without examining specimens from the type localities of both species.
We are currently unable to show a photo of Acropora floresensis!
Etymology:
The species name “floresensis” is derived from the Indonesian Lesser Sunda Island “Flores,” where the holotype was collected.
Type locality: Flores, Indonesia.
Synonyms:
Acropora pectinata Veron, 2000 · unaccepted > junior homonym
Acropora pectinatus Veron, 2000 · unaccepted > junior homonym (misspelling)
Species names and/or genus names change repeatedly, and even in the trade, many names that have been used for many years but are no longer scientifically current can still be found. Not only is it difficult to learn these names, but in many cases it is also difficult to find the corresponding explanations.
Here is the explanation of why Acropora pectinatus is now called Acropora floresensis:
Dr. Charlie Veron, the “Godfather of Corals,” described this Acropora stony coral in 2000 as Acropora ‘pectinata’ Veron, 2000, and following a decision by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, it was renamed Acropora “pectinatus” Veron, 2000.
Comments from: The tables have turned: taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of the Acropora hyacinthus (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) complex:
The removal of Acropora pectinata (Brook, 1892) from the synonymy made it clear that Acropora pectinata Veron, 2000 is an invalid junior homonym according to the priority principle (Article 23 of the ICZN Code; International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1999).
This also makes Acropora pectinatus Veron, 2000 a secondary homonym according to Article 57.3 of the ICZN Code.
Furthermore, according to Article 23.9 of the ICZN Code (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1999), a reversal of priority — which would validate Veron's younger homonym as the older name — would only apply if the older homonym had not been used as a valid name after 1899 and the younger homonym had been used as a valid name in at least 25 works published by 10 authors in the previous 50 years.
Neither of these two criteria is met:
At least 15 publications during the 20th century refer to Acropora pectinata (Brook, 1892), while only two prior to 2011 cite Acropora pectinatus Veron, 2000 and two further works after 2011 refer to Acropora pectinata Veron, 2000.
Therefore, in accordance with Article 60.3 of the ICZN Code, we indicate the nomen novum §lat instead of Acropora pectinata Veron, 2000.
Acropora pectinata (Veron, 2000) was described by Wallace et al. (2012) after comparing the holotype of Acropora pectinata (G55801) with three specimens from the QMT collection identified as Acropora acuminata,
in synonymy with Acropora acuminata (Verrill, 1864): G49306 from East Kalimantan, Indonesia, G53696 from the Togian Islands, Indonesia, and G53757 from N. Sulawesi, Indonesia, but surprisingly not with the holotype of Acropora acuminata (YPM 1807).
The type locality of Acropora acuminata is the Kingsmill (Gilbert) Islands in the central Pacific, about 6000 km away from the type locality of §lat or the specimens listed by Wallace et al. (2012).
Furthermore, examination of the holotype of Acropora acuminata suggests that the corallum was probably tree-like, while Wallace (1999) and Wallace et al. (2012) suggest that the species is a tree-like table form.
Although the three specimens listed by Wallace et al. (2012) may be Acropora floresensis, we do not consider the species to be a junior synonym of Acropora acuminata, as Acropora pectinata should never have been synonymized with Acropora acuminata without examining specimens from the type localities of both species.
We are currently unable to show a photo of Acropora floresensis!
Etymology:
The species name “floresensis” is derived from the Indonesian Lesser Sunda Island “Flores,” where the holotype was collected.
Type locality: Flores, Indonesia.
Synonyms:
Acropora pectinata Veron, 2000 · unaccepted > junior homonym
Acropora pectinatus Veron, 2000 · unaccepted > junior homonym (misspelling)
