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Re: Protoavis

To: Multiple recipients of list <dinosaur@lepomis.psych.upenn.edu>
Subject: Re: Protoavis
From: Tom Holtz <tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov>
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 1994 12:03:48 -0500
Reply-to: tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov
Sender: dinosaur@lepomis.psych.upenn.edu

>  Do the rules for naming genera and species allow Protoavis to be renamed (by
>Chatterlee? by someone else?) if it turns out that the genus is NOT an ancestor
>of modern birds? Or does the genus go through time eternal with a name that is
>a lie?

IF it is all one species (which is in doubt), AND this species hasn't been
named before, than it is Protoavis for all eternity.  Names are not
rendered invalid because they are no longer appropriate.  Examples include
Phytosaurus ("plant-lizard", for an animal now known to be carnivorous),
Basilosaurus ("king lizard", for a whale), and the trival nomen for
Therizinosaurus cheloniformis ("turtle form", because they first thought it
was a giant turtle-like beast).

                                
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.                                   
tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov
Vertebrate Paleontologist in Exile                  Phone:      703-648-5280
U.S. Geological Survey                                FAX:      703-648-5420
Branch of Paleontology & Stratigraphy
MS 970 National Center
Reston, VA  22092
U.S.A.