Posted by Johane on 13-10-2023 17:48
#1
Melinda viridicyanea (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) is treated as a valid name in "Blowflies (Diptera, Calliphoridae) of Fennoscandia and Denmark" by Knut Rognes (1991).
In Systema Dipterorum however,
Melinda viridicyanea (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) is a synonym of
Melinda cognata (Meigen, 1830).
In Rognes' book
Melinda cognata (Meigen, 1830) is listed as a synonym of
Melinda gentilis Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 and Melinda cognata auct. is listed as a synonym of
Melinda viridicyanea (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830).
Does anyone here know why Systema Dipterorum uses another nomenclature than Rognes (1991)?
Posted by Zeegers on 13-10-2023 18:35
#2
That seems pretty obvious. If the two are (considered) synonyms, the oldest name has priority.
However, it is not straightforward to determine in this case which one is the oldest ....
Theo
Posted by Johane on 15-10-2023 15:12
#3
Yes, it not so easy to say which name has priority when they were published the same year. But as far as I can find out, Robineau-Desvoidy's publication is considered to be older than that of Meigen from 1830.
In his book, Rognes writes a bit about nomenclature regarding these two species, and to me his conclusions seems rather solid.
Therefore, I was surprised to see that Systema Dipterorum has another nomenclature.