On the nomenclatural validity of Achnanthidium subatomoides (Bacillariophyta)

Sobre la validación nomenclatural de Achnanthidium subatomoides (Bacillariophyta)

Saúl Blanco¹ & Luc Ector²

¹Department of Biodiversity and Environmental Management, University of León.E-24071 León, Spain. Current address: The Institute of the Environment. La Serna, 58, E-24007 León, Spain
²Department of Environment and Agro-biotechnologies (EVA), Public Research Centre - Gabriel Lippmann.Rue du Brill, 41, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg

Recibido: 19 de septiembre 2013; Aceptado: 8 de octubre 2013

The name Navicula subatomoides was first used by Hustedt in Schmidt et al. [4] for a diatom found in Vuokatti, Finland. According to Patrick [3] and Fourtanier & Kociolek [1], since no valid description accompanied the type illustration, this binomial is to be considered as invalidly published. In our opinion, however, the brief text included in the plate legend (“N. subatomoides nov. spec. Kannwegen der wesentlich zarteren Struktur nicht mehr mit taf. 403, fig. 51-53 verbunden werden [in reference to N. minima var. atomoides (Grunow) Cleve]”, cfr. also Simonsen [5]: “Description included in plate explanation”) does constitute an effective diagnosis of this taxon under ICN rules. The reasons are: i) it presents a statement that distinguishes the taxon from other taxa (Art. 38.2), and ii) German is a valid language for diagnoses of non-fossil algae described before 1 January 1958 (Art. 44.1). Therefore, this name, as well as subsequent combinations based on it, namely Navicula utermoehli var. subatomoides (Hust.) Cleve-Euler, Achnanthes subatomoides (Hust.) Lange-Bert. & R.E.M. Archibald, Psammothidium subatomoides (Hust.) Bukhtiyarova & Round, and Achnanthidium subatomoides (Hust.) O. Monnier, Lange-Bert. et Ector [2] are validly published. Accepting the taxonomic argumentation provided by Monnier et al. [2] to transfer this species to the genus Achnanthidium, we want to repeat hereunder its correct name in this genus:

Achnanthidium subatomoides (Hust.) O. Monnier, Lange-Bert. et Ector in Monnier et al. [2].

Basionym: Navicula subatomoides Hust. in Schmidt et al. [4]

Lectotype: BRM N12/84 (HT fide R. Simonsen [5])

Acknowledgements

 P. Compère (National Botanic Garden of Belgium) kindly revised the draft.

References

[1] Fourtanier, E. & Kociolek, J.P. 2009. Catalogue of Diatom Names. Part 2: Abas through Bruniopsis. California Academy of Sciences Occasional Papers 156: 1-231.        [ Links ]

[2] Monnier, O.; Lange-Bertalot, H.; Hoffmann, L. & Ector, L. 2007. The genera Achnanthidium Kützing and Psammothidium Bukhtiyarovaet Round in the family Achnanthidiaceae (Bacillariophyceae): a reappraisal of the differential criteria. Cryptogamie Algologie 28: 141-158.        [ Links ]

[3] Patrick, R. 1945. A taxonomic and ecological study of some diatoms from the Pocono Plateau and adjacent regions. Farlowia 2: 143-221.        [ Links ]

[4] Schmidt, A. et al. 1936. Atlas der Diatomaceen-kunde. Series VIII, Issue: Heft 101-102, pls. 401-408 [F. Hustedt]. O.R. Reisland, Leipzig.

[5] Simonsen, R. 1987. Atlas and Catalogue of the Diatom Types of Friedrich Hustedt, Volumes I-III. J. Cramer, Berlin. 618 pp.