| Title | (2450-2451) Proposals to conserve the names Selenopemphix against Margosphaera, and S. nephroides against M. velata (Dinophyceae) |
| Author | Fensome, R A; Bijl, P; Grothe, A; Head, M; Sangiorgi, F; Williams, G |
| Source | Taxon vol. 65, issue 3, 2016 p. 636-637, https://doi.org/10.12705/653.21 |
| Year | 2016 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 2016001 |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| File format | pdf |
| Subjects | paleontology; stratigraphy; Paleogene; Oligocene; systematic paleontology; taxonomy; nomenclature; microfossils; sedimentary environment; paleoenvironment; biostratigraphy; paleoecology;
Dinoflagellates; Dinophyceae; Selenopemphix; Selenopemphix nephroides; Margosphaera; Margosphaera velata; dinoflagellate cysts; stratigraphic markers; Phanerozoic; Cenozoic; Tertiary |
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| Program | Baffin Petroleum Systems, GEM2: Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals |
| Abstract | (unpublished)
The name Selenopemphix Benedek was proposed in 1972, typified by an Oligocene fossil dinoflagellate cyst: since then it has been recorded and described extensively from the
Cenozoic, including modern, deposits. Its species are used as stratigraphic markers and (paleo)environmental indicators. The publication of the names Selenopemphix and S. nephroides was preceded by publication of the names Margosphaera and M. velata
by Nagy (l.c.) in 1965, based on types from the Miocene of Hungary. Nagy considered Margosphaera to represent 'leiosphaerids' (smooth-walled acritarchs) rather than dinoflagellates: as a result, Margosphaera and M. velata were subsequently almost
completely overlooked by dinoflagellate researchers. In retrospect, the morphology of M. velata is practically identical to that of S. nephroides, and unless the names Selenopemphix and S. nephroides are conserved against Margosphaera and M. velata
respectively, major taxonomic changes would be necessary that would have a seriously destabilizing effect on dinoflagellate nomenclature. The impact would indeed extend beyond dinoflagellate taxonomy. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
The fossil and modern dinoflagellate cyst genus and species, Selenopemphix and Selenopemphix nephroides, are widely used in biostratigraphic and
paleoenvironmental studies. One of the principles of botanical nomenclature is that the earliest name must be used for a taxon unless formally conserved through an official process involving publication of the problem, and support by standing
committees. The two names mentioned above are threatened by the rediscovery of earlier, obscurely published names Margosphaera and Margosphaera velata. The renaming would cause instability in the literature, especially as the names Selenopemphix
and S. nephrodes are used outside systematic palaeontology. Hence we are proposing conservation of the later names. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 297857 |
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