Re: Rauhut's Thesis

["T. Mike Keesey" <tmk@dinosauricon.com>]

On Wed, 4 Jul 2001, Mickey Mortimer wrote:

> Rauhut refers to Becklespinax as Altispinax altispinax, as Huene
> proposed the name Altispinax for the vertebrae, not the indeterminate
> tooth of Megalosaurus dunkeri.  Thus, Becklespinax is a junior
> synonym, though altispinax is the first species name available.
> Everyone change your lists. :-)

Did von Huene propose the name before or after the ICZN passed the
requirement that new genera be published with type species? If after, then
Altispinax should be considered a _nomen nudum_, if I am not mistaken. The
spines would have first been properly described as _Acrocanthosaurus
altispinax_ by Paul (unless we have a repeat of the _Albertosaurus
megagracilis_ situation....). And _Becklespinax altispinax_ would remain
the correct name.

If, OTOH, von Huene published _Altispinax_ before the ICZN added that
rule.... I guess it *should* be _Altispinax altispinax_ ... right?

Ugh.

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