Case 3403. Mecistocephalus Newport, 1843 and Pachymerium Koch, 1847 (Chilopoda): proposed conservation of current usage by designation of Mecistocephalus punctifrons Newport, 1843 as the type species of Mecistocephalus Newport, 1843

The purpose of this application, under Article 70.2 of the Code, is to conserve Mecistocephalus punctifrons Newport, 1843 as the type species of the genus Mecistocephalus Newport, 1843, following current universal use; this requires suppression of the earlier but long forgotten valid designation of Geophilus ferrugineus Koch, 1835 as the type species of this genus. Accepting G. ferrugineus as the type species of Mecistocephalus would threaten the current, universal use of both names Mecistocephalus Newport, 1843 and Pachymerium Koch, 1847 for two well-established genera of centipedes. These genera have long been recognised as very distinct and included in different families; both have a wide geographical distribution and encompass more than 120 and 20 valid species respectively. The name Mecistocephalus, as currently applied, is threatened by Lamnonyx Cook, 1896, which has not been used as valid in taxonomic and faunistic literature since 1945. The name Pachymerium, as currently applied, is threatened by Mecistocephalus, which is currently and universally applied to a different genus.

Recommended citation: Bonato, L. & A. Minelli (2007): Case 3403. Mecistocephalus Newport, 1843 and Pachymerium Koch, 1847 (Chilopoda): proposed conservation of current usage by designation of Mecistocephalus punctifrons Newport, 1843 as the type species of Mecistocephalus Newport, 1843. The Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature, 64 (3): 166-173. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/42820