Re: Bambiraptor feinbergi vs. feinbergorum (DGList corrections #134)

[bh480@scn.org]

> In a message dated 3/19/00 0:13:42 AM EST, bh480@scn.org 
writes:
> 
> << Bambiraptor feinbergi will have to stand it seems. >>
> 
> 
> I have heard from two others who also have copies of the 
new ICZN and they 
> both agree that feinbergi >must< be changed to 
feinbergorum, provided that 
> the authors' etymology in the paper does specify that 
two persons (Ann and 
> Michael Feinberg) are being honored in the species 
epithet. Check Article 
> 31.1.2.
> 
Yes...I read through the new ICZN provisions VERY 
carefully, and the issue is not what should be done when 
the taxon is named (as indicated in 31.1.2), but whether 
an error of Latin grammar MUST be corrected AFTER the 
original publication.  The ONLY correction for species 
names that is now MANDATORY is a gender change when a 
species name in the form of a Latin adjective is combined 
with a new generic name with a different gender. See Art. 
34.2. Under the 3rd Edition of the ICZN, it was clearly 
stated that mistakes in Latin endings for species names 
honoring a person or persons had to be corrected if the 
original published form was wrong according to Latin 
grammar--this provision has been dropped as far as I can 
tell, in the name of preserving the original spelling come 
hell or high water. This change now seems to fall under 
the wording "incorrect transliteration or latinization" in 
article 32.5.1, which is not grounds for an "incorrect 
original spelling" that must be changed.  Maybe this point 
should be referred to the ICZN for clarification--I seem 
to recall some debate during the revision of the Code, 
with the gist being that making corrections for Latin 
endings was not popular.