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Type: Article
Published: 2021-06-29
Page range: 161-172
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An evaluation of the nomina for death adders (Acanthophis Daudin, 1803) proposed by Wells & Wellington (1985), and confirmation of A. cryptamydros Maddock et al., 2015 as the valid name for the Kimberley death adder

Collections & Research, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool WA 6016, Australia Biologic Environmental Survey, 24–26 Wickham St, East Perth, Western Australia 6004, Australia.
Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany; and Department of Biology, Victor Valley College, 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, California 92395, USA
Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, United Kingdom Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, United Kingdom 6Island Biodiversity and Conservation Centre, University of Seychelles, Mahé, Seychelles
Collections & Research, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool WA 6016, Australia
Molecular Biology and Evolution at Bangor, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2UW, United Kingdom
Reptilia Nomenclature taxonomy nomen nudum Australia Serpentes Elapidae

Abstract

We assess the availability of four names proposed by Wells & Wellington (1985) for Australian death adders (Acanthophis). In agreement with previous literature, A. hawkei is an available name, whereas A. armstrongi, A. lancasteri, and A. schistos are not described in conformity with the requirements of Articles 13.1.1 or 13.1.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and are therefore considered nomina nuda. Consequently, A. cryptamydros Maddock et al., 2015, is confirmed as the valid name for the Kimberley death adder of Western Australia. We comment on the need for greater clarity in the Code, and emphasise that the responsibility for establishing the availability of new nomina rests with their authors, not subsequent researchers.

 

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