Bionomina

**Historical literature suggests a Sri Lankan origin for the etymology of the snake generic names Duberria Fitzinger, 1826 and Malpolon Fitzinger, 1826 (Reptilia, Serpentes)**

SANJAYA K. BANDARA — 2025-12-22

The snake genera Duberria and Malpolon, both established by Leopold Fitzinger in the 19^th century, have long presented uncertainties regarding their etymological origins. Herein, I discuss the possibility that these generic names were sourced from historical literature dating back to the 17^th century and were derived from the Sinhala language, indicating a potential Sri Lankan origin. Additionally, I review the taxonomic and nomenclatural status of the names as presented in those earlier works, highlighting linguistic discrepancies, relevant remarks, and their standing under the current International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. A type species for the genus Duberria is here validly designated for the first time.

Protection of the nomen Gehyra oceanica (Lesson, 1830) (Squamata) by the application of Article 23.9.1 of the Code

AARON M. BAUER — 2025-12-22

Gehyra oceanica (Lesson, 1830) is the universally employed nomen for a gekkonid gecko from the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. It is threatened by an older subjective synonym, Stellio argyropus Tilesio, 1820, based on a specimen described and figured from Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands. Although the priority of the latter name has been recognized for more than 30 years, it has neither been treated as a valid nomen nor been demonstrated to be a nomen oblitum. The requirements of Articles 23.9.1 and 23.9.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature are here satisfied. Therefore, S. argyropus is demonstrated to be a nomen oblitum and Gecko oceanicus Lesson, 1830 is declared a nomen protectum.

Aotus jorgehernandezi Defler & Bueno, 2007, a synonym of Aotus brumbacki Hershkovitz, 1983 (Mammalia, Primates)

SEBASTIÁN O. MONTILLA — 2025-12-22

The binomen Aotus jorgehernandezi Defler & Bueno, 2007 was erected for a species of night monkey diagnosed on the basis of karyomorphic differences. The type locality of A. jorgehernandezi is unknown, as the original description was based on a single specimen found in captivity in the Andean region of Colombia but presumed to be native to Los Nevados National Natural Park, located on the border between the departments of Quindío and Risaralda, in the Central Cordillera of Colombia. Since the description of this species, the binomen has been controversial as the holotype is lost, and as no additional specimens referred to this species are yet known. Here, we evaluate the nomenclatural validity of A. jorgehernandezi and the taxonomic traits used for its description, comparing it to other Aotus species from Colombia. Although the binomen A. jorgehernandezi is nomenclaturally available, taxonomic traits including the karyotype information strongly suggest that it is a junior synonym of A. brumbacki Hershkovitz, 1983, which has a cis-Andean distribution in Colombia.

The “Kaiserian shortfall”, fishes, and the regulation of taxonomy by the Code

GABRIEL DE CARVALHO DEPRÁ — 2025-12-22

Since 2013, there has been a heated debate over bad practices in zoological nomenclature and taxonomy (which have been called ‘taxonomic vandalism’) and what to do about them. Mostly, the critics have been calling ‘vandals’ those who propose new names based on the appropriation of results generated by other researchers. Some herpetologists have suggested establishing new ‘aspidonyms’ to replace nomina proposed in such circumstances, thus ignoring Article 23 of the Code, which establishes the principle of priority in zoological nomenclature. In turn, the Commission has decided against their request to suppress names proposed by ‘taxonomic vandals’, so the problem remains unsolved. Even though plagiarism and other similar, unethical behaviours are deplorable, I call attention to another phenomenon that is detrimental to nomenclature, i.e., the proposition of new nomina whose application is dubious due to poorly constructed diagnoses and other shortcomings that are mainly a result of insufficient peer review. Since the beginning of the 21^st century, dozens of Neotropical fish species have been described in substandard works. The fact that a proportion of the taxa that have been named lacks a workable diagnosis, while many of their names were proposed in unscientific or unethical circumstances and are rejected by those adhering to scientific principles, is herein referred to as ‘Kaiserian shortfall’ in honour of the herpetologist that has been leading the struggle against taxonomic vandalism. My approach to fighting against the Kaiserian shortfall includes changes to the Code, which in my view should regulate taxonomy as well as nomenclature. I suggest that: [1] only online papers be regarded as published work, observing Article 8.5; [2] only journals included in a list compiled by a consortium of scientific societies and approved by the Commission be suitable for the publication of nomenclatural acts; [3] a published work, in the sense of the Code, must include an exhaustive diagnosis for each taxon described or redescribed; and [4] only works issued in English can be regarded as published.

Etymology of nomina and bibliography of reptiles of the Scattered Islands (Indian Ocean)

THIERRY FRÉTEY — 2025-12-22

We provide a catalogue of 12 generic nomina and 19 species or subspecies epithets of reptiles of the Scattered Islands (Îles Éparses in French) in the Indian Ocean, with some nomenclatural consequences that result from our observations, especially for "Flexiceps" (not validly published) and Furcifer pollenii (misspelled). In order to solve some nomenclatural problems, we had to resort to 11 Articles of the Code (8.5‒6, 11.8, 28, 30.1‒3, 30.1.4.2, 30.2.3‒4, 33.4) and to 37 technical nomenclatural terms. Once again, this highlights the fact that nomenclatural problems concerning ancient nomina cannot be properly dealt with in a hurry and without a good, but also critical, knowledge of the Code, and that the use of a more detailed terminology than that of the Code facilitates such a work. Finally, to prepare this paper we began by compiling a bibliography as exhautive as possible. This bibliographical list is presented in Appendix 1.