Anolis chvysolepis Dumeril & Bibron, 1837 (Reptilia, Squamata): proposed precedence over Draconum nitens Wagler, 1830

摘要

The purpose of this application, under Articles 2.3.6, 23.12 and 81 of the Code, is to conserve the name Anolis chrysolepis Dumeril & Bibron, 1837, for a polytypic species of biogeographic importance. An older, less-used name Anolis nitens (Wagler, 1830), was rejected in a major revision (Vanzolini & Williams, 1970) as a name 'of uncertain application [and] uncertain geographical provenance', the first term being equivalent to nomen dubium as denned in the Code. The specific name nitens was published with a 4-line description in the monotypic genus Draconura; the type locality ('America') is vague and the holotype is unknown. It is indeed a nomen dubium that cannot unambiguously be assigned to any known lizard, although the possibility that the brief color description might prove diagnostic of a species waiting rediscovery cannot be rejected. Article 23.3.6 of the Code allows authors to use the junior name Anolis chrysolepis as valid. However, although never in prevailing usage historically, Anolis nitens nonetheless remains in competing use because of prior (and arguable) interpretation of Article 23. It is a major source of instability. It is proposed that the name Anolis chrysolepis Dumeril & Bibron, 1837, be given precedence over Draconura nitens Wagler, 1830, whenever the two are considered to be synonyms.