[Zoobank-list] zoobank prototype

[Faunaplan at aol.com]

Dear all,
this zoobank-list seems to have been silent for quite some time before the 
launch of zoobank.org prototype.
Since ZooBank is to play such a central role in the future of zoological 
nomenclature and biodiversity informatics (see, e.g., the recently updated GUID 
discussion), isn't it desirable to have a broader discussion & testing of 
prototype models?

Here some thoughts (maybe almost 2 cents worth):

In zoological nomenclature, we have three groups of names: family-, genus- 
and species-group names, each regulated by specific provisions in the Code. So 
why not organize ZooBank in these three sections?
For both family- and genus-group names, universal registers across the whole 
animal kingdom are needed, e.g. for quick homonymy check, whereas registers 
for species-group names could (should) be organised in practicable subsets. I 
can imagine separate lists for reptiles, fishes, birds, etc. would work fine - 
if taken care of by the communities of herpetologists, ichthyologists, 
ornithologists, etc.

As for a genus-group names register, the online Nomenclator Zoologicus seems 
to me an interesting springboard/ prototype from where to start. What is still 
missing now could be added step by step, with icons indicating the progress 
of refinement in each name, e.g., 
- name has been counter-checked with original publication, 
- name has been checked for Code compliance, 
- gender, 
- type species and kind of type designation.

For family-group names, a register similar to Nomenclator Zoological could be 
set up. Such a list should include, among other information, the 
correct/accepted stem of each name, because this was/ is  frequently a reason of 
instability and it's the only easy way to check for homonymy.

In my opinion, registers for species-group names will be the main challenge 
of ZooBank, - not only because of the sheer number of names, but because of the 
need to document the history of generic combinations (esp. the original 
combination!) for each epithet (including the variations of adjectival epithets). I 
hope this register will also clearly indicate the type of each epithet 
(invariable noun in apposition, genitive, or adjectival epithets with variable 
ending). 

As you can see, many of these desirable infos are not (yet) provided by the 
Zoological Record. 
You might say the above points all  refer more or less to the final version 
of ZooBank, whereas the first step is to be a register for new names only. 
Well, I doubt that ZooBank could be functioning without solid indexes to 
existing names. E.g., how can you check for homonymy in the case of genus- and 
family-group names? 
How to avoid new cases of primary homonymy in species-group names without 
having a list of primary generic combinations of epithets (esp. in large genera 
like Carabus, etc.)? 
Just to mention two problems...

In summary I'd say, ZooRec can contribute a lot, but a ZooBank prototype 
needs more specific features than ION.

Best wishes,
Wolfgang
----------------------------------
Wolfgang Lorenz, Tutzing, Germany


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