What is a nomen dubium?
A nomen dubium is Latin for “doubtful name” (plural nomina dubia ). It is a scientific name in zoology which is of unknown or doubtful use. With a nomen dubium it may be impossible to decide whether a specimen belongs to that group or not. This may happen if the original type specimen is lost or destroyed.
What is the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature?
To preserve stability of names, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature allows a new type specimen, or neotype, to be chosen for a nomen dubium in this case. 75.5. Replacement of unidentifiable name-bearing type by a neotype.
What is the difference between a neotype and a nomen dubium?
The zoological and botanical codes allow for a new type specimen, or neotype, to be chosen in this case. A name may also be considered a nomen dubium if its name-bearing type is fragmentary or lacking important diagnostic features (this is often the case for species known only as fossils).
What are the rules of ICZN?
This complex set of rules was developed by the ICZN and adopted by the International Union of Biological Sciences. In addition to rules for determining which name should be used for a species, there are rules for determining whether a new name has been published in an acceptable way and whether the name is eligible to be used.