Case 3043 Varanus teriae Sprackland, 1991 (Reptilia, Squamata): proposed conservation of the specific name

Abstract

The purpose of this apphcation is to conserve the specific name of Varanus teriae Sprackland, 1991 for a tree monitor from northeastern Australia. The name is threatened by the earlier but obscurely published and rarely used name Odatria keithhornci Wells & Wellington. 1985 which was based on the same type specimen. It is proposed that the latter name be suppressed.

An annotated type catalogue of varanid lizards (Reptilia: Squamata: Varanidae) in the collection of the Western Australian Museum

“…Gray did not designate any type specimens explicitly in the description; Mertens (1958) designated the specimen BMNH 1.17a (reregistered as BMNH 1946.9.7.61 after the Second World War) as the lectotype (Sprackland et al 1997). Böhme (1991) noted that the lectotype of Hydrosaurus gouldii (Varanus gouldii) designated by Mertens (1958) was a specimen of Varanus panoptes panoptes Storr, 1980, technically rendering V. panoptes panoptes a junior synonym of H. gouldii.…”

“…Böhme (1991) noted that the lectotype of Hydrosaurus gouldii (Varanus gouldii) designated by Mertens (1958) was a specimen of Varanus panoptes panoptes Storr, 1980, technically rendering V. panoptes panoptes a junior synonym of H. gouldii. In a case submitted to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (Case 3042), Sprackland et al (1997) proposed that the lectotype designated by Mertens (1958) be set aside and BMNH 1.17b (locality data lacking) be designated as the neotype in accordance with accustomed usage of both names. Shea and Cogger (1998) proposed an alternative neotype, BMNH 1997.1 (formerly WAM R131792) that had accompanying locality data, as well as tissue samples for genetic comparisons, as opposed to other possible material in the BMNH in poor condition and/ or lacking collection and locality data.…”