Let bygones be bygones: The troubled chronicle of Odostomia unidentata (Montagu, 1803) (Gastropoda: Pyramidellidae)
Rome, Italy,
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https://orcid.org/0000-
0001-6021-5132
# Dipartimento di Biologia
e Biotecnologie “Charles
Darwin”, Sapienza
Università di Roma, Viale
dell’Università 32, 00185
Rome, Italy,
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https://orcid.org/0000-
0002-0316-4364
° Via Bologna 18/A, 87032
Amantea (CS), Italy,
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https://orcid.org/0000-
0003-3944-6758
§ Via M.L. Longo 8, 00151
Rome, Italy,
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(*) corresponding author
https://orcid.org/0000-
0003-4628-4312
In order to understand the origin of this inconsistency, we studied the variability of the two species and carried out a review of the nomenclatural history of Odostomia unidentata.
We examined a large amount of material to show that, apart from the different type of protoconch, a feature often neglected by ancient authors, the two species clearly differ due to the larger size reached by Brachystomia eulimoides and the different proportions, which are maintained in gerontics.
A survey of the ancient literature showed that there was no consensus among 19th century authors about the identity of Montagu’s species. We reconstructed the troubled nomenclatural chronicle of this species and showed that, with very few exceptions, most authors misinterpreted Montagu’s description inverting the two species, until the current usage of Odostomia unidentata was widely accepted following Jeffreys’ (wrong) interpretation. The different ecology of the two species further supports this picture.
To preserve nomenclatural stability, we are preparing an appeal to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to use its plenary powers to set aside the only syntype of Turbo unidentatus and designate a neotype, based on a specimen fitting the current concept of O. unidentata, in agreement with Article 75.6, in order to maintain the prevailing usage of Montagu’s taxon.
Key words
Taxonomy, Montagu, type material, ICZN, northeastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea
Per comprendere l’origine di questa discrepanza, abbiamo studiato la variabilità delle due specie in esame e ricostruito la storia tassonomica di Odostomia unidentata.
Sulla base di una grande quantità di esemplari esaminati, siamo giunti alla conclusione che, a parte il tipo di protoconca diverso – un carattere spesso non considerato dagli autori antichi – le due specie sono chiaramente distinte per le grandi dimensioni raggiunte da Brachystomia eulimoides e per le diverse proporzioni,
che si mantengono anche negli esemplari gerontici.
L’esame della letteratura antica ha mostrato come non esistesse un’opinione condivisa tra gli autori del XIX secolo a proposito dell’identità della specie di Montagu. Abbiamo perciò ricostruito la storia travagliata di questa specie, mostrando come la maggior parte degli autori, con poche eccezioni, abbiano travisato la descrizione di Montagu scambiando le due specie, finché l’interpretazione di Jeffreys (errrata) non si è imposta, portando all’uso universalmente accettato di Odostomia unidentata. Anche la diversa ecologia delle due specie è in accordo con questo scenario.
Il cambio di denominazione imposto dall’identità del tipo e dalla pedissequa accettazione del principio di priorità, destabilizzerebbe un uso consolidato da oltre 150 anni. Per preservare la stabilità della nomenclatura, stiamo preparando una richiesta alla Commissione Internazionale di Nomenclatura Zoologica per usare i pieni poteri per l’accantonamento dell’unico sintipo di Turbo unidentatus e la conseguente designazione di un neotipo, in accordo con l’Art. 75.6 del Codice, al fine di mantenere l’uso prevalente del taxon di Montagu.
Parole chiave
Tassonomia, Montagu, materiale tipico, ICZN, Oceano Atlantico nord-orientale, Mar Mediterraneo
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