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The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is a widely accepted convention in zoology that rules the formal scientific naming of organisms treated as animals. It is also informally known as the ICZN Code , for its formal author, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (which shares the acronym "ICZN").
The ICZN is governed by the "Constitution of the ICZN", which is usually published together with the ICZN Code. [2] Members are elected by the Section of Zoological Nomenclature, [3] established by the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS). The regular term of service of a member of the Commission is six years.
These codes differ in terminology, and there is a long-term project to "harmonize" this. For instance, the ICN uses "valid" in "valid publication of a name" (=the act of publishing a formal name), with "establishing a name" as the ICZN equivalent. The ICZN uses "valid" in "valid name" (="correct name"), with "correct name" as the ICN equivalent ...
For example, in both the ICN and the ICZN a neotype is a type that was later appointed in the absence of the original holotype. Additionally, under the ICZN the commission is empowered to replace a holotype with a neotype, when the holotype turns out to lack important diagnostic features needed to distinguish the species from its close relatives.
The ICZN follows the Principle of Priority, in which the oldest available name for a taxon is generally the valid name. [4] Junior homonyms in the family and genus group – names of families and genera which have identical spelling, but refer to different taxa. Only one of two (or more) such homonyms can be valid; junior family-rank names must ...
The ICZN does not always demand a type specimen for the historical validity of a species, and many "type-less" species do exist. The current edition of the Code, Article 75.3, prohibits the designation of a neotype unless there is "an exceptional need" for "clarifying the taxonomic status" of a species (Article 75.2).
According to the ICZN preamble: Priority of publication is a basic principle of zoological nomenclature; however, under conditions prescribed in the Code its application may be modified to conserve a long-accepted name in its accustomed meaning.
Banks and Browning (1995) responded directly to Rea's strict application of ICZN rules for determining nomina oblita, stating: "We believe that the fundamental obligation of taxonomists is to promote stability, and that the principle of priority is but one way in which this can be effected. We see no stability in resurrecting a name of ...