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Scott Thomson

Universidade de São Paulo, Museu de Zoologia, Adjunct

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Phone: +55 11 974 74 9095
Address: Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo
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Julian D Reynolds

Trinity College Dublin

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kansas State University

University of East London

Jose Ruben Guzman-Gutierrez

Universidad Humanista de las Americas

Armando Marques-Guedes

UNL - New University of Lisbon

Appalachian State University

José F. González-Maya

Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Lerma

Diego F Cisneros-Heredia

Universidad San Francisco de Quito

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Papers by Scott Thomson

Towards a global list of accepted species II. Consequences of inadequate taxonomic list governance

Organisms Diversity & Evolution, Oct 14, 2021

Species lists are widely used in legislation and regulation to manage and conserve biodiversity. ... more Species lists are widely used in legislation and regulation to manage and conserve biodiversity. In this paper, we explore the issues caused by the lack of an adequately governed and universally accepted list of the world’s species. These include lack of quality control, duplicated effort, conflicts of interest, lack of currency, and confusion in the scientific use of taxonomic information. If species lists are to fulfill their role efficiently, then the governance systems underlying their creation must keep pace. Fortunately, modernization of species list governance is now possible as a result of advances in biodiversity informatics and two decades of experience working to create the backbone of a global species list.

Global Conservation Status of Turtles and Tortoises (Order Testudines)

Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 2018

Comment on Spracklandus Hoser, 2009 (Reptilia, Serpentes, ELAPIDAE): request for confirmation of the availability of the generic name and for the nomenclatural validation of the journal in which it was published (Case 3601; see BZN 70: 234–237; 71: 30–38, 133–135, 181–182, 252–253)

Comment on Terrapene putnami Hay, 1906 (Testudines, EMYDIDAE): replacement of the holotype by designation of a neotype (Case 3628; see BZN 70: 193–198)

Confronting taxonomic vandalism in biology: conscientious community self-organization can preserve nomenclatural stability

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2021

Self-published taxon descriptions, bereft of a basis of evidence, are a long-standing problem in ... more Self-published taxon descriptions, bereft of a basis of evidence, are a long-standing problem in taxonomy. The problem derives in part from the Principle of Priority in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, which forces the use of the oldest available nomen irrespective of scientific merit. This provides a route to ‘immortality’ for unscrupulous individuals through the mass-naming of taxa without scientific basis, a phenomenon referred to as taxonomic vandalism. Following a flood of unscientific taxon namings, in 2013 a group of concerned herpetologists organized a widely supported, community-based campaign to treat these nomina as lying outside the permanent scientific record, and to ignore and overwrite them as appropriate. Here, we review the impact of these proposals over the past 8 years. We identified 59 instances of unscientific names being set aside and overwritten with science-based names (here termed aspidonyms), and 1087 uses of these aspidonyms, compared to ...

Comment on Spracklandus Hoser, 2009 (Reptilia, Serpentes, ELAPIDAE): request for confirmation of the availability of the generic name and for the nomenclatural validation of the journal in which it was published (Case 3601; see BZN 70: 234–237; 71: 30–38, 133–135, 181–182, 252–253)

The comments by Kaiser (BZN 71: 30-35), Schleip (BZN 71: 35-36), Wüster et al. (BZN 71: 37-38) an... more The comments by Kaiser (BZN 71: 30-35), Schleip (BZN 71: 35-36), Wüster et al. (BZN 71: 37-38) and Thomson (BZN 71: 133-135) provide no hard evidence to rebut any element of Case 3601 as originally published in BZN. Correspondents on Taxacom and the ICZN list online have correctly dismissed the claims of these authors as 'bluster'. Thorpe (in litt.) added that the comments submitted by Hoser's enemies on Case 3601 were absolutely laughable in terms of the Code, and this view was repeated in similar words by Dubois, Wellington and others (in litt. 2014). Furthermore all claims raised by Kaiser, Schleip, Wüster et al. and Thomson, merely repeated earlier discredited claims of Kaiser (2013) and Kaiser et al. (2013). These were rebutted in detail by Hoser (2012a) (regarding the Spracklandus matter), Hoser (2012b) and Dubois (in litt.) in relation to other issues alleged by the group. However I here deal briefly with some of the points for purpose of further rebuttal and for discussion in BZN. Claims by Kaiser (BZN 71: 133-135) that the Hoser works have been criticized by others have no bearing on the nomenclature and the case for ICZN confirmation of the nomenclatural availability within the Code of the name Spracklandus Hoser, 2009. In any event, the criticism of scientific papers is normal scientific discourse, even if labelled by critics as 'unscientific'. Kaiser has not in fact produced any evidence to suggest that Australasian Journal of Herpetology (AJH) Issue 7 did not comply with Article 8.1.3 of the Code. The distributed issue of AJH Issue 7 is no different from other acknowledged Code-compliant papers published daily. It was published in print with ink on paper in numerous durable copies. An alleged printing defect in terms of printing quality control as suggested by Kaiser (2014) does not in any way make AJH Issue 7 invalid under the Code or Article 8 of the Code. Kaiser's statement that 'I have seen no proof that there were ever more than a handful of copies produced' is meaningless. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Furthermore at no stage have Kaiser, Wallach, Wüster, Broadley or Schleip asked the logical question of me as to where and by whom original copies were distributed. Hoser (2012a) stated that 'All issues of AJH were published in hard copy (over 100 originals of each) and later online, being posted online on average 10 days after the print copies were first received and distributed, by which stage receipts from recipients had been received and archived.' Kaiser, Schleip or Wüster et al. have never produced any evidence to contradict this obvious fact or properly sought contradictory evidence. Kaiser (2014b) used four arguments to allege that AJH was in violation of Article 8.1.3 of the Code. These arguments are refuted in detail below. (1) It was published in an edition, in the usual meaning and understanding of this word, and even cited as such by his close colleagues (Wallach et al., 2009, p. 34). 61 Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 72(1) March 2015 brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk provided by Archivio della ricerca-Università di Roma La Sapienza (2) There is uncontradicted evidence that numerous copies were made (e.g. Hoser, 2012a). The only evidence provided by Kaiser, Wallach, Wüster, Broadley or Schleip is a statement that they did not make proper or reasonable enquiries as to where copies were distributed. This included failing to check the most likely repositories, such as Zoological Record, as specified in the Code (Recommendation 8A) or persons named in the relevant papers. (3) The original copies were all identical in words, fonts, pagination, margins and all other relevant details. (4) The copies were 'durable' in the commonly accepted meaning of the word, including being printed on high quality white gloss paper (superior to that used by most other published journals) and printed in black ink. Furthermore, all Kaiser's claims against the method of printing of AJH in terms of potential Code-compliance (repeated in part by Wüster et al., 2014) are in fact rejected by Schleip (BZN 71: 35-36) in his point 5. Schleip's claim 'The existence of this outlet [AJH] was primarily proclaimed in herpetoculture internet forums, and zoologists unlikely to participate in such forums were widely unaware of its existence (see the Code, Appendix B.8, General Recommendations).' is clearly false. In the pre-checking of Case 3601, the Commission Secretariat independently established that AJH was sent to numerous places including Zoological Record as the most important part of the Code's 'wide dissemination' recommendation (Recommendation 8A). Significantly, Schleip's claim is also refuted by Wüster (in litt. 2009), who wrote 'You have been accused of many things. Lack of dissemination of your articles has not been one of them'. Schleip's claim 'However, on the date [Issue 7 of AJH] was distributed, it was not obtainable by the public' is patently false. AJH was available at all relevant times. Schleip (BZN 71: 35-36) stated 'In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is not possible to determine whether or not the copies were printed in accordance with Article 8.1.3 or 'printed on demand'. Kaiser (BZN 71: 30-35) asserted 'I believe this shows that there really was no print run of numerous identical and durable copies'. These and similar statements about the availability of AJH and the relevant website are incorrect. Printed issues have always been offered for sale, the price of each being determined by size. I have often chosen to waive fees to persons requesting issues or photocopies of papers, as was the case with Wallach in 2009. As each issue of the journal was published, the relevant details were added to the relevant parts of the website in accordance with similar practices by publishers of other scientific literature. Kaiser's (BZN 71: 30-35) prediction of mass disobedience against the Code in the event of a judgement in favour of Spracklandus was repeated by Wüster et al. (BZN 71: 37-38), Thomson (BZN 71: 133-135) and Schleip (BZN 71: 31-36), who said 'If the Commission, however, were to vote in favor of Case 3601 and declare the name Spracklandus Hoser, 2009 available. .. I predict that the majority of herpetologists will follow the recommendations of Kaiser et al. (2013) and continue to ignore AJH as a reliable source for nomenclatural and taxonomic information'. This is the same prediction made in BZN in relation to the Wells & Wellington papers and names proposed within them made by Stone and others. Stone (1988) wrote: 'If the Commission takes no action with respect to the nomenclature proposed in these publications other scientists may of course choose to ignore that obligation'. King 65 Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 72(1) March 2015

Myuchelys gen. nov. a new genus for Elseya latisternum and related forms of Australian freshwater turtle (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae)

Zootaxa

Myuchelys, a new genus, is erected for a well supported clade of Australasian freshwater turtles;... more Myuchelys, a new genus, is erected for a well supported clade of Australasian freshwater turtles; its establishment resolves an unacceptable paraphyly in relationships among species of the genus Elseya. Molecular and morphological evidence indicates that the closest relationship of the new genus is with Emydura, not the redefined Elseya.

Diversity of Australasian freshwater turtles, with an annotated synonymy and keys to species

Zootaxa

There have been many substantial advances in our knowledge of Australasian freshwater turtle biod... more There have been many substantial advances in our knowledge of Australasian freshwater turtle biodiversity in the last three decades, but the classification of genera and species is in dire need of review. The proliferation of names in unpublished manuscripts and in taxonomic works published in ephemeral (often privately printed) magazines, journals or books, without the benefits of peer review and often with little justification and scant diagnoses, many of which are not allowable nomenclatural actions under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, has led to considerable confusion. Taxonomy is punctuated by timely and rigorous revisions that bring a check on the proliferation of names for unsubstantiated taxa. This paper is not a comprehensive revision, but in it we provide an assessment of the current taxonomy of Australasian freshwater turtles, focusing on information available to establish the validity of taxa as biological entities (as opposed to the validity of the n...

Case 3587 Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848 (Reptilia,Testudines): proposed precedence over Emys cayennensis Schweigger, 1812

The Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature

The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the specific na... more The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the specific name Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848, for a widely distributed species of Amazonian turtle (family PODOCNEMIDIDAE) of both economic and conservation importance, by giving it precedence over its infrequently used senior synonym Podocnemis cayennensis (Schweigger, 1812). This species, the Yellow-spotted River Turtle, has long been referred to as P. unifilis by the IUCN Red List and CITES, as well as in at least 200 scientific publications over more than a century, whereas the name P. cayennensis has only been applied to this species in very few recent publications. Prior to 1974, the name cayennensis had usually been used incorrectly for another species, the Red-headed River Turtle, Podocnemis erythrocephala (Spix, 1824), as noted and corrected by Mittermeier & Wilson (1974) and Pritchard & Trebbau (1984). The conservation of the binomen P. unifilis will stabilize the use of a name that has been in general use for this species in the vast majority of the scientific publications, government documents, endangered species lists, and the general literature for over 100 years. Giving precedence to the older name (cayennensis) would be counter to usage, and would create much confusion in the literature.

<strong>A new species of freshwater turtle of the genus <em>Elseya</em> (Testudinata: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from the Northern Territory of Australia</strong>

Zootaxa, 2016

The genus Elseya has had a checkered taxonomic history, but is now restricted to species characte... more The genus Elseya has had a checkered taxonomic history, but is now restricted to species characterized by an alveolar ridge on the triturating surfaces of the jaw. The Australian forms were once regarded as a single widespread species extending from the Mary River of southeastern Queensland to the Fitzroy River of north Western Australia, but a number of Australian species have now been identified based on a combination of molecular and morphological data-Elseya dentata, E. irwini, E. lavarackorum and E. albagula. The genus is represented in New Guinea by E. branderhorsti, E. novaeguineae, E. schultzii, and E. rhodini. One additional Australian taxon first identified in 1981 and subsequently established as a distinct taxon by molecular studies, is described here. It is a large chelid turtle that can be distinguished from all other Australian members of the genus Elseya by the distinctive cream or yellow plastron, free of the dark streaking, blotches or suffusing present in other species; an extensive bridge with little or no abrupt angle between the bridge and the ventral surface of the plastron; a head shield broken into a series of small plates rather than a single unit; flat uncornified temporal scales; and a narrower, less robust skull. Osteologically, it can be distinguished from Elseya dentata by the contact of the vomer and the pterygoids. The carapace is typically a light to medium brown in color whereas the carapace of Elseya dentata is typically dark brown to almost black in color. Distribution is the Mary, South Alligator, East Alligator, Goyder and Mann River drainages of the north east of the Northern Territory, Australia. It does not appear to be in sympatry with any other member of Elseya. It is, however, in sympatry with three species of Chelodina, at least two species of Emydura, Myuchelys latisternum and Carettochelys insculpta.

First successful captive breeding of Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macroclemys temmincki) in Australia

Management implications of poor alpha taxonomy

Turtles and Tortoises of the World During the Rise and Global Spread of Humanity: First Checklist and Review of Extinct Pleistocene and Holocene Chelonians

Chelonian Research Monographs, 2015

We provide a first checklist and review of all recognized taxa of the world's extinct Pleistocene... more We provide a first checklist and review of all recognized taxa of the world's extinct Pleistocene and Holocene (Quaternary) turtles and tortoises that existed during the early rise and global expansion of humanity, and most likely went extinct through a combination of earlier hominin (e.g., Homo erectus, H. neanderthalensis) and later human (H. sapiens) exploitation, as well as being affected by concurrent global or regional climatic and habitat changes. This checklist complements the broader listing of all modern and extant turtles and tortoises by the Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (2014). We provide a comprehensive listing of taxonomy, names, synonymies, and stratigraphic distribution of all chelonian taxa that have gone extinct from approximately the boundary between the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene, ca. 2.6 million years ago, up through 1500 AD, at the beginning of modern times. We also provide details on modern turtle and tortoise taxa that have gone extinct since 1500 AD. This checklist currently includes 100 fossil turtle and tortoise taxa, including 84 named and apparently distinct species, and 16 additional taxa that appear to represent additional valid species, but are only identified to genus or family. Modern extinct turtles and tortoises include 8 species, 3 subspecies, and 1 unnamed taxon, for 12 taxa. Of the extinct fossil taxa, terrestrial tortoises of the family Testudinidae (including many large-bodied island forms) are the most numerous, with 60 taxa. When the numbers for fossil tortoises are combined with the 61 modern (living and extinct) species of tortoises, of the 121 tortoise species that have existed at some point since the beginning of the Pleistocene, 69 (57.0%) have gone extinct. This likely reflects the high vulnerability of these large and slow terrestrial (often insular) species primarily to human exploitation. The other large-bodied terrestrial turtles, the 000e.2 Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises • Chelonian Research Monographs, No. 5 15,000,000 ybp: The family Hominidae (hominids) appeared, as great apes speciated from lesser apes, arose in Africa. 13,000,000 ybp: The subfamily Homininae (hominins) appeared and became increasingly human, remained in Africa. 3,600,000 ybp: The australopithecine hominins (Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, Kenyanthropus) began to appear in South Africa and East Africa; upright bipedalism developed; remained in Africa and persisted into the early Pleistocene, ca. 2,000,000 ybp. 2,800,000 ybp: Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene; the hominin genus Homo appeared in East Africa (Gibbons 2015); Homo habilis occurred from ca. 2,800,000 to 1,400,000 ybp, remained in Africa; Oldowan Paleolithic stone technology begins to develop around 2,600,000 ybp 1,900,000 ybp: Early Pleistocene; the hominins Homo ergaster and Homo erectus appeared in Africa; by ca. 1,800,000 ybp H. erectus migrated out and spread widely through the Middle East, the Caucasus, southern Europe, southern and eastern Asia (mainland China, possibly differentiating as H. pekinensis), and the Indo-Australian Archipelago as far as Flores (possibly differentiating as H. floresiensis), survived on Java until ca. 70,000 ybp (possibly differentiating as H. soloensis); did not reach Japan or Australia. 1,200,000 ybp: Early Pleistocene; the hominin Homo antecessor appeared in southern Europe, and survived until ca. 800,000 ybp. 600,000 ybp: Middle Pleistocene; the hominin Homo heidelbergensis occurred in Europe, Africa, and western Asia, and survived until ca. 200,000 ybp. 350,000 ybp: Middle Pleistocene; the hominin Homo neanderthalensis appeared in Europe and survived until ca. 25,000 ybp, apparently eventually interbreeding with later-arriving humans, H. sapiens. 200,000 ybp: Middle Pleistocene; modern humans, Homo sapiens, first appeared in East Africa, remained there at first, then at about 160,000 ybp began to migrate out of Africa, gradually apparently replacing, interbreeding with, or extirpating H. neanderthalensis and H. erectus, reaching the Middle East at ca. 125,000-100,000 ybp, South Asia at ca. 75,000-70,000 ybp, Europe at ca. 40,000 ybp, Australia and New Guinea at about 60,000-50,000 ybp, Japan at ca. 35,000 ybp, the South Pacific islands between about 30,000-4000 ybp, North Americas sometime between ca. 20,000-15,000 ybp, South America at about 15,000 ybp, the Caribbean Archipelago at ca. 7000 ybp, and Madagascar at ca. 2000-1500 ybp (see older simplified schematic map below by Burenhult 2000). 74,000 ybp: Late Pleistocene; the unusually small endemic hominin species Homo floresiensis occurred on Flores island in the Indo-Australian Archipelago at about 74,000 ybp; but may have differentiated from H. erectus as early as 1,000,000 ybp, and survived until ca. 17,000 ybp.

Comment on the proposed precedence of Chelodina rugosa Ogilby, 1890 (currently Macrochelodina rugosa; Reptilia, Testudines) over Chelodina oblonga Gray, 1841 (Case 3351)

The identification of the holotype of Chelodina oblonga (Testudines: Chelidae) with a discussion of taxonomic implications

Chelonian Conservation and Biology

The Identification of the Holotype of Chelodina oblonga (Testudines: Chelidae) with a Discussion ... more

Taxonomic terrorism: a world perspective

There have been increasing occurrences of what has become known as “taxonomic terrorism,” an unfo... more There have been increasing occurrences of what has become known as “taxonomic terrorism,” an unfortunate effect of the Principle of Priority [in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature]. In science, we generally can and do ignore work that is poorly constructed and poorly published. In taxonomy, this is difficult particularly when other parts of the Code are considered of lesser importance. It is imperative that a line be drawn between the acceptable and unacceptable. We argue that what is not acceptable are self-authored and edited works that barely meet Code standards and certainly do not stand up to scientific rigor. Ray Hoser has published 24 volumes of his own selfedited reviews, describing well over 750 taxa from many parts of the world. He has attacked researchers who disagree with him and others. He has taken the works of others and named clades to obtain “naming rights,” and he claims to be the world expert on herpetology and a representative of the principles of ...

A new species of long necked turtle (Chelidae:Chelodina) from the sandstone plateau of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia

Chelonian Conservation and Biology

Abstract. A new species of long-necked freshwater turtle of the family Chelidae is described from... more Abstract. A new species of long-necked freshwater turtle of the family Chelidae is described from the Arnhem Land Plateau in the Northern Territory of Australia. The taxon is included within the Chelodirta expansa group of species and is the smallest member of that group. First collected by scientists some 20 years ago, research on the species has been hampered by its isolation - it is restricted to sparsely inhabited, rugged sandstone country of tropical northern Australia. It can be diagnosed by its broad, shortened and flattened skull, by the possession of a contiguous neural series, and by contact of the vomer and the pterygoids. It is clearly distinct from Chelodina rugosu in a canonical discriminant analysis. Preliminary data on natural history are also presented. Males examined in October-November had enlarged vascularized testes and epididymes distended with sperm. Females examined at the same time had regressed corpora lutea and atretic follicles from the previous nesting s...

A Revision of the Fossil Chelid Turtles (Pleurodira) Described by C.W. De Vis, 1897

Memoirs of the Queensland Museum

With increasing knowledge of the morphology of Australian chelid turtles and majorchanges in taxo... more With increasing knowledge of the morphology of Australian chelid turtles and majorchanges in taxonomy it has become necessary to assign, where possible, the fossil speciesdescribed last century by C.W. de Vis. It was found that four ofthese, Chelymys uberima, C.arata, C. antiqua and Pelecomastes ampla, were synonymous, with C. uberima being the senior synonym. Chelymys uberima was determined to be a member of the Elseya whose affinities lie with the Elseya lavarackorum group of species. The paralectotypes of Chelymys antiqua were found to be a new species ofthe genus Rheodytes and sister to R. leukops. These specimens are described as a new species. Chelodina insculpta was found to be a valid taxon whose affinities probably lie with C. expansa.

Harriet, The Galapagos Tortoise. Disclosing One and a Half Centuries of History

Comment on Spracklandus Hoser, 2009 (Reptilia, Serpentes, Elapidae): request for confirmation of the availability of the generic name and for the nomenclatural validation of the journal in which it was published (Case 3601)

Towards a global list of accepted species II. Consequences of inadequate taxonomic list governance

Organisms Diversity & Evolution, Oct 14, 2021

Species lists are widely used in legislation and regulation to manage and conserve biodiversity. ... more Species lists are widely used in legislation and regulation to manage and conserve biodiversity. In this paper, we explore the issues caused by the lack of an adequately governed and universally accepted list of the world’s species. These include lack of quality control, duplicated effort, conflicts of interest, lack of currency, and confusion in the scientific use of taxonomic information. If species lists are to fulfill their role efficiently, then the governance systems underlying their creation must keep pace. Fortunately, modernization of species list governance is now possible as a result of advances in biodiversity informatics and two decades of experience working to create the backbone of a global species list.

Global Conservation Status of Turtles and Tortoises (Order Testudines)

Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 2018

Comment on Spracklandus Hoser, 2009 (Reptilia, Serpentes, ELAPIDAE): request for confirmation of the availability of the generic name and for the nomenclatural validation of the journal in which it was published (Case 3601; see BZN 70: 234–237; 71: 30–38, 133–135, 181–182, 252–253)

Comment on Terrapene putnami Hay, 1906 (Testudines, EMYDIDAE): replacement of the holotype by designation of a neotype (Case 3628; see BZN 70: 193–198)

Confronting taxonomic vandalism in biology: conscientious community self-organization can preserve nomenclatural stability

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2021

Self-published taxon descriptions, bereft of a basis of evidence, are a long-standing problem in ... more Self-published taxon descriptions, bereft of a basis of evidence, are a long-standing problem in taxonomy. The problem derives in part from the Principle of Priority in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, which forces the use of the oldest available nomen irrespective of scientific merit. This provides a route to ‘immortality’ for unscrupulous individuals through the mass-naming of taxa without scientific basis, a phenomenon referred to as taxonomic vandalism. Following a flood of unscientific taxon namings, in 2013 a group of concerned herpetologists organized a widely supported, community-based campaign to treat these nomina as lying outside the permanent scientific record, and to ignore and overwrite them as appropriate. Here, we review the impact of these proposals over the past 8 years. We identified 59 instances of unscientific names being set aside and overwritten with science-based names (here termed aspidonyms), and 1087 uses of these aspidonyms, compared to ...

Comment on Spracklandus Hoser, 2009 (Reptilia, Serpentes, ELAPIDAE): request for confirmation of the availability of the generic name and for the nomenclatural validation of the journal in which it was published (Case 3601; see BZN 70: 234–237; 71: 30–38, 133–135, 181–182, 252–253)

The comments by Kaiser (BZN 71: 30-35), Schleip (BZN 71: 35-36), Wüster et al. (BZN 71: 37-38) an... more The comments by Kaiser (BZN 71: 30-35), Schleip (BZN 71: 35-36), Wüster et al. (BZN 71: 37-38) and Thomson (BZN 71: 133-135) provide no hard evidence to rebut any element of Case 3601 as originally published in BZN. Correspondents on Taxacom and the ICZN list online have correctly dismissed the claims of these authors as 'bluster'. Thorpe (in litt.) added that the comments submitted by Hoser's enemies on Case 3601 were absolutely laughable in terms of the Code, and this view was repeated in similar words by Dubois, Wellington and others (in litt. 2014). Furthermore all claims raised by Kaiser, Schleip, Wüster et al. and Thomson, merely repeated earlier discredited claims of Kaiser (2013) and Kaiser et al. (2013). These were rebutted in detail by Hoser (2012a) (regarding the Spracklandus matter), Hoser (2012b) and Dubois (in litt.) in relation to other issues alleged by the group. However I here deal briefly with some of the points for purpose of further rebuttal and for discussion in BZN. Claims by Kaiser (BZN 71: 133-135) that the Hoser works have been criticized by others have no bearing on the nomenclature and the case for ICZN confirmation of the nomenclatural availability within the Code of the name Spracklandus Hoser, 2009. In any event, the criticism of scientific papers is normal scientific discourse, even if labelled by critics as 'unscientific'. Kaiser has not in fact produced any evidence to suggest that Australasian Journal of Herpetology (AJH) Issue 7 did not comply with Article 8.1.3 of the Code. The distributed issue of AJH Issue 7 is no different from other acknowledged Code-compliant papers published daily. It was published in print with ink on paper in numerous durable copies. An alleged printing defect in terms of printing quality control as suggested by Kaiser (2014) does not in any way make AJH Issue 7 invalid under the Code or Article 8 of the Code. Kaiser's statement that 'I have seen no proof that there were ever more than a handful of copies produced' is meaningless. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Furthermore at no stage have Kaiser, Wallach, Wüster, Broadley or Schleip asked the logical question of me as to where and by whom original copies were distributed. Hoser (2012a) stated that 'All issues of AJH were published in hard copy (over 100 originals of each) and later online, being posted online on average 10 days after the print copies were first received and distributed, by which stage receipts from recipients had been received and archived.' Kaiser, Schleip or Wüster et al. have never produced any evidence to contradict this obvious fact or properly sought contradictory evidence. Kaiser (2014b) used four arguments to allege that AJH was in violation of Article 8.1.3 of the Code. These arguments are refuted in detail below. (1) It was published in an edition, in the usual meaning and understanding of this word, and even cited as such by his close colleagues (Wallach et al., 2009, p. 34). 61 Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 72(1) March 2015 brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk provided by Archivio della ricerca-Università di Roma La Sapienza (2) There is uncontradicted evidence that numerous copies were made (e.g. Hoser, 2012a). The only evidence provided by Kaiser, Wallach, Wüster, Broadley or Schleip is a statement that they did not make proper or reasonable enquiries as to where copies were distributed. This included failing to check the most likely repositories, such as Zoological Record, as specified in the Code (Recommendation 8A) or persons named in the relevant papers. (3) The original copies were all identical in words, fonts, pagination, margins and all other relevant details. (4) The copies were 'durable' in the commonly accepted meaning of the word, including being printed on high quality white gloss paper (superior to that used by most other published journals) and printed in black ink. Furthermore, all Kaiser's claims against the method of printing of AJH in terms of potential Code-compliance (repeated in part by Wüster et al., 2014) are in fact rejected by Schleip (BZN 71: 35-36) in his point 5. Schleip's claim 'The existence of this outlet [AJH] was primarily proclaimed in herpetoculture internet forums, and zoologists unlikely to participate in such forums were widely unaware of its existence (see the Code, Appendix B.8, General Recommendations).' is clearly false. In the pre-checking of Case 3601, the Commission Secretariat independently established that AJH was sent to numerous places including Zoological Record as the most important part of the Code's 'wide dissemination' recommendation (Recommendation 8A). Significantly, Schleip's claim is also refuted by Wüster (in litt. 2009), who wrote 'You have been accused of many things. Lack of dissemination of your articles has not been one of them'. Schleip's claim 'However, on the date [Issue 7 of AJH] was distributed, it was not obtainable by the public' is patently false. AJH was available at all relevant times. Schleip (BZN 71: 35-36) stated 'In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is not possible to determine whether or not the copies were printed in accordance with Article 8.1.3 or 'printed on demand'. Kaiser (BZN 71: 30-35) asserted 'I believe this shows that there really was no print run of numerous identical and durable copies'. These and similar statements about the availability of AJH and the relevant website are incorrect. Printed issues have always been offered for sale, the price of each being determined by size. I have often chosen to waive fees to persons requesting issues or photocopies of papers, as was the case with Wallach in 2009. As each issue of the journal was published, the relevant details were added to the relevant parts of the website in accordance with similar practices by publishers of other scientific literature. Kaiser's (BZN 71: 30-35) prediction of mass disobedience against the Code in the event of a judgement in favour of Spracklandus was repeated by Wüster et al. (BZN 71: 37-38), Thomson (BZN 71: 133-135) and Schleip (BZN 71: 31-36), who said 'If the Commission, however, were to vote in favor of Case 3601 and declare the name Spracklandus Hoser, 2009 available. .. I predict that the majority of herpetologists will follow the recommendations of Kaiser et al. (2013) and continue to ignore AJH as a reliable source for nomenclatural and taxonomic information'. This is the same prediction made in BZN in relation to the Wells & Wellington papers and names proposed within them made by Stone and others. Stone (1988) wrote: 'If the Commission takes no action with respect to the nomenclature proposed in these publications other scientists may of course choose to ignore that obligation'. King 65 Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 72(1) March 2015

Myuchelys gen. nov. a new genus for Elseya latisternum and related forms of Australian freshwater turtle (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae)

Zootaxa

Myuchelys, a new genus, is erected for a well supported clade of Australasian freshwater turtles;... more Myuchelys, a new genus, is erected for a well supported clade of Australasian freshwater turtles; its establishment resolves an unacceptable paraphyly in relationships among species of the genus Elseya. Molecular and morphological evidence indicates that the closest relationship of the new genus is with Emydura, not the redefined Elseya.

Diversity of Australasian freshwater turtles, with an annotated synonymy and keys to species

Zootaxa

There have been many substantial advances in our knowledge of Australasian freshwater turtle biod... more There have been many substantial advances in our knowledge of Australasian freshwater turtle biodiversity in the last three decades, but the classification of genera and species is in dire need of review. The proliferation of names in unpublished manuscripts and in taxonomic works published in ephemeral (often privately printed) magazines, journals or books, without the benefits of peer review and often with little justification and scant diagnoses, many of which are not allowable nomenclatural actions under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, has led to considerable confusion. Taxonomy is punctuated by timely and rigorous revisions that bring a check on the proliferation of names for unsubstantiated taxa. This paper is not a comprehensive revision, but in it we provide an assessment of the current taxonomy of Australasian freshwater turtles, focusing on information available to establish the validity of taxa as biological entities (as opposed to the validity of the n...

Case 3587 Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848 (Reptilia,Testudines): proposed precedence over Emys cayennensis Schweigger, 1812

The Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature

The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the specific na... more The purpose of this application, under Article 23.9.3 of the Code, is to conserve the specific name Podocnemis unifilis Troschel, 1848, for a widely distributed species of Amazonian turtle (family PODOCNEMIDIDAE) of both economic and conservation importance, by giving it precedence over its infrequently used senior synonym Podocnemis cayennensis (Schweigger, 1812). This species, the Yellow-spotted River Turtle, has long been referred to as P. unifilis by the IUCN Red List and CITES, as well as in at least 200 scientific publications over more than a century, whereas the name P. cayennensis has only been applied to this species in very few recent publications. Prior to 1974, the name cayennensis had usually been used incorrectly for another species, the Red-headed River Turtle, Podocnemis erythrocephala (Spix, 1824), as noted and corrected by Mittermeier & Wilson (1974) and Pritchard & Trebbau (1984). The conservation of the binomen P. unifilis will stabilize the use of a name that has been in general use for this species in the vast majority of the scientific publications, government documents, endangered species lists, and the general literature for over 100 years. Giving precedence to the older name (cayennensis) would be counter to usage, and would create much confusion in the literature.

<strong>A new species of freshwater turtle of the genus <em>Elseya</em> (Testudinata: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from the Northern Territory of Australia</strong>

Zootaxa, 2016

The genus Elseya has had a checkered taxonomic history, but is now restricted to species characte... more The genus Elseya has had a checkered taxonomic history, but is now restricted to species characterized by an alveolar ridge on the triturating surfaces of the jaw. The Australian forms were once regarded as a single widespread species extending from the Mary River of southeastern Queensland to the Fitzroy River of north Western Australia, but a number of Australian species have now been identified based on a combination of molecular and morphological data-Elseya dentata, E. irwini, E. lavarackorum and E. albagula. The genus is represented in New Guinea by E. branderhorsti, E. novaeguineae, E. schultzii, and E. rhodini. One additional Australian taxon first identified in 1981 and subsequently established as a distinct taxon by molecular studies, is described here. It is a large chelid turtle that can be distinguished from all other Australian members of the genus Elseya by the distinctive cream or yellow plastron, free of the dark streaking, blotches or suffusing present in other species; an extensive bridge with little or no abrupt angle between the bridge and the ventral surface of the plastron; a head shield broken into a series of small plates rather than a single unit; flat uncornified temporal scales; and a narrower, less robust skull. Osteologically, it can be distinguished from Elseya dentata by the contact of the vomer and the pterygoids. The carapace is typically a light to medium brown in color whereas the carapace of Elseya dentata is typically dark brown to almost black in color. Distribution is the Mary, South Alligator, East Alligator, Goyder and Mann River drainages of the north east of the Northern Territory, Australia. It does not appear to be in sympatry with any other member of Elseya. It is, however, in sympatry with three species of Chelodina, at least two species of Emydura, Myuchelys latisternum and Carettochelys insculpta.

First successful captive breeding of Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macroclemys temmincki) in Australia

Management implications of poor alpha taxonomy

Turtles and Tortoises of the World During the Rise and Global Spread of Humanity: First Checklist and Review of Extinct Pleistocene and Holocene Chelonians

Chelonian Research Monographs, 2015

We provide a first checklist and review of all recognized taxa of the world's extinct Pleistocene... more We provide a first checklist and review of all recognized taxa of the world's extinct Pleistocene and Holocene (Quaternary) turtles and tortoises that existed during the early rise and global expansion of humanity, and most likely went extinct through a combination of earlier hominin (e.g., Homo erectus, H. neanderthalensis) and later human (H. sapiens) exploitation, as well as being affected by concurrent global or regional climatic and habitat changes. This checklist complements the broader listing of all modern and extant turtles and tortoises by the Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (2014). We provide a comprehensive listing of taxonomy, names, synonymies, and stratigraphic distribution of all chelonian taxa that have gone extinct from approximately the boundary between the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene, ca. 2.6 million years ago, up through 1500 AD, at the beginning of modern times. We also provide details on modern turtle and tortoise taxa that have gone extinct since 1500 AD. This checklist currently includes 100 fossil turtle and tortoise taxa, including 84 named and apparently distinct species, and 16 additional taxa that appear to represent additional valid species, but are only identified to genus or family. Modern extinct turtles and tortoises include 8 species, 3 subspecies, and 1 unnamed taxon, for 12 taxa. Of the extinct fossil taxa, terrestrial tortoises of the family Testudinidae (including many large-bodied island forms) are the most numerous, with 60 taxa. When the numbers for fossil tortoises are combined with the 61 modern (living and extinct) species of tortoises, of the 121 tortoise species that have existed at some point since the beginning of the Pleistocene, 69 (57.0%) have gone extinct. This likely reflects the high vulnerability of these large and slow terrestrial (often insular) species primarily to human exploitation. The other large-bodied terrestrial turtles, the 000e.2 Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises • Chelonian Research Monographs, No. 5 15,000,000 ybp: The family Hominidae (hominids) appeared, as great apes speciated from lesser apes, arose in Africa. 13,000,000 ybp: The subfamily Homininae (hominins) appeared and became increasingly human, remained in Africa. 3,600,000 ybp: The australopithecine hominins (Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, Kenyanthropus) began to appear in South Africa and East Africa; upright bipedalism developed; remained in Africa and persisted into the early Pleistocene, ca. 2,000,000 ybp. 2,800,000 ybp: Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene; the hominin genus Homo appeared in East Africa (Gibbons 2015); Homo habilis occurred from ca. 2,800,000 to 1,400,000 ybp, remained in Africa; Oldowan Paleolithic stone technology begins to develop around 2,600,000 ybp 1,900,000 ybp: Early Pleistocene; the hominins Homo ergaster and Homo erectus appeared in Africa; by ca. 1,800,000 ybp H. erectus migrated out and spread widely through the Middle East, the Caucasus, southern Europe, southern and eastern Asia (mainland China, possibly differentiating as H. pekinensis), and the Indo-Australian Archipelago as far as Flores (possibly differentiating as H. floresiensis), survived on Java until ca. 70,000 ybp (possibly differentiating as H. soloensis); did not reach Japan or Australia. 1,200,000 ybp: Early Pleistocene; the hominin Homo antecessor appeared in southern Europe, and survived until ca. 800,000 ybp. 600,000 ybp: Middle Pleistocene; the hominin Homo heidelbergensis occurred in Europe, Africa, and western Asia, and survived until ca. 200,000 ybp. 350,000 ybp: Middle Pleistocene; the hominin Homo neanderthalensis appeared in Europe and survived until ca. 25,000 ybp, apparently eventually interbreeding with later-arriving humans, H. sapiens. 200,000 ybp: Middle Pleistocene; modern humans, Homo sapiens, first appeared in East Africa, remained there at first, then at about 160,000 ybp began to migrate out of Africa, gradually apparently replacing, interbreeding with, or extirpating H. neanderthalensis and H. erectus, reaching the Middle East at ca. 125,000-100,000 ybp, South Asia at ca. 75,000-70,000 ybp, Europe at ca. 40,000 ybp, Australia and New Guinea at about 60,000-50,000 ybp, Japan at ca. 35,000 ybp, the South Pacific islands between about 30,000-4000 ybp, North Americas sometime between ca. 20,000-15,000 ybp, South America at about 15,000 ybp, the Caribbean Archipelago at ca. 7000 ybp, and Madagascar at ca. 2000-1500 ybp (see older simplified schematic map below by Burenhult 2000). 74,000 ybp: Late Pleistocene; the unusually small endemic hominin species Homo floresiensis occurred on Flores island in the Indo-Australian Archipelago at about 74,000 ybp; but may have differentiated from H. erectus as early as 1,000,000 ybp, and survived until ca. 17,000 ybp.

Comment on the proposed precedence of Chelodina rugosa Ogilby, 1890 (currently Macrochelodina rugosa; Reptilia, Testudines) over Chelodina oblonga Gray, 1841 (Case 3351)

The identification of the holotype of Chelodina oblonga (Testudines: Chelidae) with a discussion of taxonomic implications

Chelonian Conservation and Biology

The Identification of the Holotype of Chelodina oblonga (Testudines: Chelidae) with a Discussion ... more

Taxonomic terrorism: a world perspective

There have been increasing occurrences of what has become known as “taxonomic terrorism,” an unfo... more There have been increasing occurrences of what has become known as “taxonomic terrorism,” an unfortunate effect of the Principle of Priority [in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature]. In science, we generally can and do ignore work that is poorly constructed and poorly published. In taxonomy, this is difficult particularly when other parts of the Code are considered of lesser importance. It is imperative that a line be drawn between the acceptable and unacceptable. We argue that what is not acceptable are self-authored and edited works that barely meet Code standards and certainly do not stand up to scientific rigor. Ray Hoser has published 24 volumes of his own selfedited reviews, describing well over 750 taxa from many parts of the world. He has attacked researchers who disagree with him and others. He has taken the works of others and named clades to obtain “naming rights,” and he claims to be the world expert on herpetology and a representative of the principles of ...

A new species of long necked turtle (Chelidae:Chelodina) from the sandstone plateau of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia

Chelonian Conservation and Biology

Abstract. A new species of long-necked freshwater turtle of the family Chelidae is described from... more Abstract. A new species of long-necked freshwater turtle of the family Chelidae is described from the Arnhem Land Plateau in the Northern Territory of Australia. The taxon is included within the Chelodirta expansa group of species and is the smallest member of that group. First collected by scientists some 20 years ago, research on the species has been hampered by its isolation - it is restricted to sparsely inhabited, rugged sandstone country of tropical northern Australia. It can be diagnosed by its broad, shortened and flattened skull, by the possession of a contiguous neural series, and by contact of the vomer and the pterygoids. It is clearly distinct from Chelodina rugosu in a canonical discriminant analysis. Preliminary data on natural history are also presented. Males examined in October-November had enlarged vascularized testes and epididymes distended with sperm. Females examined at the same time had regressed corpora lutea and atretic follicles from the previous nesting s...

A Revision of the Fossil Chelid Turtles (Pleurodira) Described by C.W. De Vis, 1897

Memoirs of the Queensland Museum

With increasing knowledge of the morphology of Australian chelid turtles and majorchanges in taxo... more With increasing knowledge of the morphology of Australian chelid turtles and majorchanges in taxonomy it has become necessary to assign, where possible, the fossil speciesdescribed last century by C.W. de Vis. It was found that four ofthese, Chelymys uberima, C.arata, C. antiqua and Pelecomastes ampla, were synonymous, with C. uberima being the senior synonym. Chelymys uberima was determined to be a member of the Elseya whose affinities lie with the Elseya lavarackorum group of species. The paralectotypes of Chelymys antiqua were found to be a new species ofthe genus Rheodytes and sister to R. leukops. These specimens are described as a new species. Chelodina insculpta was found to be a valid taxon whose affinities probably lie with C. expansa.

Harriet, The Galapagos Tortoise. Disclosing One and a Half Centuries of History

Comment on Spracklandus Hoser, 2009 (Reptilia, Serpentes, Elapidae): request for confirmation of the availability of the generic name and for the nomenclatural validation of the journal in which it was published (Case 3601)

Taxonomic Terrorism: A world perspective

by Mark O'Shea MBE, Hinrich Kaiser, Scott Thomson, and Anders Rhodin

Australian Society of Herpetologists Conference, Jan 2015

ABSTRACT There have been increasing occurrences of what has become known as “taxonomic terrorism,... more ABSTRACT There have been increasing occurrences of what has become known as “taxonomic terrorism,” an unfortunate effect of the Principle of Priority [in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature]. In science, we generally can and do ignore work that is poorly constructed and poorly published. In taxonomy, this is difficult particularly when other parts of the Code are considered of lesser importance. It is imperative that a line be drawn between the acceptable and unacceptable. We
argue that what is not acceptable are self-authored and edited works that barely meet Code standards and certainly do not stand up to scientific rigor. Ray Hoser has published 24 volumes of his own selfedited reviews, describing well over 750 taxa from many parts of the world. He has attacked
researchers who disagree with him and others. He has taken the works of others and named clades to obtain “naming rights,” and he claims to be the world expert on herpetology and a representative of the principles of the Code. He has attempted to have the genus name Spracklandus and the journal (Australasian Journal of Herpetology) in which it is published declared available for nomenclature. In response, we have spearheaded a major attempt to have this unacceptable situation dealt with. 70
authors have come together to comment on the case, including many taxonomists, IUCN chairs, CITES chair, and the Red List Chair, former commissioners, museum collection managers, and editors of journals. We have asked that v1–24 of AJH be declared unavailable for nomenclature and further have enacted article 82.1 of the Code, which states that whilst a decision is pending no nomenclatural act from AJH 1–24 needs to be recognized until the ICZN makes a decision.