Oxydromus Grube, 1855 reinstated over Ophiodromus Sars, 1862 (Polychaeta, Hesionidae).

The hesionid polychaete genera Oxydromus Grube, 1855 and Ophiodromus Sars, 1862 have been regarded as synonyms with the former considered as invalid since it was thought to be a junior homonym of Oxydromus Schlegel, 1854. However, Schlegel's name is an incorrect subsequent spelling for Ocydromus Wagler, 1830 (Aves, Gruiformes, Rallidae) and is not an available name. Consequently, Oxydromus Grube, 1855 must be reinstated for this hesionid polychaete genus. A check-list of valid species of Oxydromus including 30 new combinations is provided.

Introduction

Grube (1855) proposed within the polychaete family Phyllodocidae for Grube, 1855, a new species capable of rapid movement from two Mediterranean Sea localities: Trieste (Italy) and Villa Franca (probably Villefranche-sur-Mer, France). Later, Sars (1862) established the genus for a Norwegian species, Sars, 1862. He also transferred to the family Hesionidae and distinguished it from by the presence of articulated palps and biramous parapodia. Both features were present in but misinterpreted by Grube when he defined them as simple palps and uniramous parapodia (von Marenzeller 1874, Pleijel 2011 pers. comm.).

Pleijel (1998) examined syntypes of (ZMB 3825), the type species of the genus, and specimens of delle Chiaje, 1825 (currently fide Pleijel 1998) from near the type locality (type material of this species does not exist). He agreed with McIntosh (1908:116) that the former is a junior synonym of the latter although he didn’t go into detail. Nevertheless, regarding the defining generic characters, and are synonymous. is possibly a senior synonym of the type species (fide von Marenzeller 1874, McIntosh 1908, Pleijel 1998, Fauchald 2011). An examination of specimens from the type localities, Gulf of Naples and Norway respectively, is required to resolve their status.

Pleijel (1998) pointed out that has seniority over but, as first stated by Hartman (1965), concluded that the former genus name was preoccupied in the class Aves, Schlegel, 1854, and for which reason must be used. However, Viéitez et al. (2004) argued that is an available genus name and must be considered as valid. Then, following their suggestion, we proposed to reinstate over to standardize the worldwide use of both generic names.

Results

Viéitez et al. (2004:521) realized that Schlegel is an incorrect subsequent spelling of Wagler, 1830 (Aves, Gruiformes, Rallidae) (itself a junior homonym of the beetle genus Clairville, 1806 [Insecta, Carabidae], and replaced by Lafresnaye, 1841). Although Schlegel’s name was used in later publications (e. g. Reischek 1886, Röse 1890), as an incorrect subsequent spelling it remains unavailable according to Article 33.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. This states “Any subsequent spelling of a name different from the correct original spelling, other than a mandatory change or an emendation, is an ‘incorrect subsequent spelling’; it is not an available name and, like an incorrect original spelling [Article 32.4], it does not enter in homonymy and cannot be used as a substitute name…”. Viéitez et al. erroneously stated that Sars proposed to replace Grube due to his mistaken belief that Grube’s genus name is a junior homonym of Schlegel. Sars actually didn’t mention the homonymy; instead he discussed the morphological discrepancy between both genera.

Preservation of the genus-group name as the senior synonym would require a reversal of precedence according to Article 23.9 (ICZN 1999). This states that in order to maintain the prevailing usage the following conditions must be met: 1) the senior synonym (in this case Grube, 1855) has not been used as a valid name after 1899 (Article 23.9.1.1), and 2) the junior synonym (namely Sars, 1862) has been used for a particular taxon, as its presumed valid name, in at least 25 works, published by at least 10 authors in the immediately preceding 50 years and encompassing a span of not less than 10 years (Article 23.9.1.2). The first conditionPageBreak is not applicable which negates the need for a reversal of precedence. has also been listed as a valid name after 1900 in many publications (e.g. Gravier 1900, McIntosh 1908, Chamberlin 1919, Fauvel 1923, Augener 1927, Uschakov 1955, Hartmann-Schröder 1959, 1965, Hartman 1961, Day 1963, Averincev 1972).

In accordance with Article 23.9.3 (ICZN 1999), we consider that the / situation does not threaten the stability of nomenclature or the universality of a widespread use, thus no referral to the Commission for a ruling should be required. We propose to reinstate over based on the Principle of Priority (Article 23, ICZN 1999).

Systematics

Family HESIONIDAE Grube, 1850. Subfamily OPHIODROMINAE Pleijel, 1998. Tribe OPHIODROMINI Pleijel, 1998

Grube, 1855 reinstated

Oxydromus Grube, 1855: 98.

Ophiodromus Sars, 1862: 87; Pleijel, 1998: 137–143, figs. 31–33 (synonymy).

Type species.

Grube, 1855, by monotypy.

(Hartmann-Schröder, 1985), comb. n. (basionym of Hartmann-Schröder, 1985)

Type locality: Port Lincoln, South Australia.

(Grube, 1874), comb. n. (basionym of Grube, 1874)

Type locality: Dalmatia, Croatia.

(Ehlers, 1864), comb. n. (basionym of Ehlers, 1864)

Type locality: Adriatic Sea.

(Hartmann-Schröder, 1974), comb. n. (basionym of Hartmann-Schröder, 1974)

Type locality: Lobito, Angola.

(Grube, 1878), comb. n. (basionym of Grube, 1878)

Type locality: Philippines.

(Day, 1967), comb. n. (basionym of Day, 1967)

Type locality: Walvis Bay, Namibia.

(Uchida, 2004), comb. n. (basionym of Uchida, 2004)

Type locality: Wakayama, Japan.

(Uchida, 2004), comb. n. (basionym of Uchida, 2004)

Type locality: Shikoku, Japan.

(Uchida, 2004), comb. n. (basionym of Uchida, 2004)

Type locality: Wakayama, Japan.

(Schmarda, 1861), comb. n. (basionym of Schmarda, 1861)

Type locality: New South Wales, Australia.

Grube, 1855 (possible junior synonym of (delle Chiaje, 1825))

Type locality: Adriatic Sea (Trieste) and Western Mediterranean Sea (Villefranche-sur-Mer, France).

(Uchida, 2004), comb. n. (basionym of Uchida, 2004)

Type locality: Wakayama, Japan.

(delle Chiaje, 1825) (basionym of delle Chiaje, 1825)

Type locality: Gulf of Naples.

(Hartmann-Schroder, 1962), comb. n. (basionym of Hartmann-Schroder, 1962)

Type locality: Peru.

(Hoagland, 1919), comb. n. (basionym of Hoagland, 1919)

Type locality: Guanica, Puerto Rico.

(Grube, 1878), comb. n. (basionym of Grube, 1878)

Type locality: Philippines.PageBreak

(Willey, 1905), comb. n. (basionym of Willey, 1905)

Type locality: Sri Lanka.

(Uchida, 2004), comb. n. (basionym of Uchida, 2004)

Type locality: Okinawa, Japan.

(Knox and Cameron, 1971), comb. n. (basionym of Knox and Cameron, 1971; not a senior homonym to (Tenerelli, 1973) as Pleijel (1998) suggested, but this name is considered as nomen dubium)

Type locality: Melbourne, Australia.

(Hutchings and Murray, 1984), comb. n. (basyonymy of Hutchings and Murray, 1984)

Type locality: New South Wales, Australia.

(Hartmann-Schröder, 1959), comb. n. (basyonymy of Hartmann-Schröder, 1959)

Type locality: San Juan, El Salvador.

(Treadwell, 1901), comb. n. (basyonymy of Treadwell, 1901)

Type locality: Puerto Rico.

(Rosito, 1983), comb. n. (basionym of Rosito, 1983)

Type locality: Philippines.

(Verrill, 1873), comb. n. (basyonymy of Verrill, 1873)

Type locality: Massachusetts, United States.

(Uchida, 2004), comb. n. (basionym of Uchida, 2004)

Type locality: Nagasaki, Japan.

Claparède, 1864

Type locality: Golfe du Lion, France.

(Uchida, 2004), comb. n. (basionym of Uchida, 2004)

Type locality: Wakayama, Japan.

PageBreak (Rioja, 1923), comb. n. (basionym of Rioja, 1923)

Type locality: Pontavedra, Spain.

(Johnson, 1901), comb. n. (basyonymy of Johnson, 1901) (Figure 1)

Figure 1.

A representative living specimen of collected in California. Species: (Johnson, 1901) (photo: Leslie Harris).

Type locality: Washington, United States.

(Storch and Niggemann, 1967), comb. n. (basyonymy of Storch and Niggemann, 1967)

Type locality: Red Sea.

(Ehlers, 1908), comb. n. (basyonymy of Ehlers, 1908)

Type locality: Angola.

(Ehlers, 1864), comb. n. (basyonymy of Ehlers, 1864)

Type locality: Adriatic Sea.

(Sars, 1862), comb. n. (basionym of Sars, 1862)

Type locality: Norway.

Remarks and discussion

Pleijel (1998) revised the phylogeny and classification of the family Hesionidae based on available type and non-type material. He provided descriptions and diagnoses for all supraspecific taxa and world-wide species lists, including 24 nominal taxa in . He newly synonymized Ehlers, 1864 and Czerniavsky, 1882, and continued the prior synonymy of Grube, 1855, Ehlers, 1864, de Quatrefages, 1866 and Grube, 1878 with Sars, 1862, whose type species is Sars, 1862 (possibly fide Pleijel 1998). However, is herein reinstated due to the priority of over Sars, with as the type species.

(from the Greek oxys= fast, quick; dromus= runner) (Figure 1) is currently represented by 32 species and is distinguished from other genera by the presence of six pairs of enlarged anterior cirri, prostomium bearing three antennae with the median one sited anteriorly, and biarticulated palps (see Salazar-Vallejo and Orensanz 2006). Uchida (2004) suggested that the species of this genus are among the most difficult groups to identify in the family and considered that the form of parapodia is a more useful character for identification of the species than prostomium and anteriorPageBreak part structures. A detailed revision of the genus is required to redefine species, especially those considered to be widely distributed.