ARS | Publication request: Proposal to conserve the name Talaromyces over Lasioderma

Submitted to: Taxon
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: March 8, 2012
Publication Date: April 17, 2012
Citation: Seifert, K.A., Frisvad, J.C., Houbraken, J., Llimona, X., Peterson, S.W., Samson, R.A., Visagie, C.M. 2012. Proposal to conserve the name Talaromyces over Lasioderma. Taxon. 61(2):461-462.

Interpretive Summary: The mold genus Talaromyces is of interest in medical mycology, in biocontrol of root rots, and is being investigated for control of mycotoxigenic fungi in corn. Although the Talaromyces are well known and well accepted in science, we discovered a competing name published much earlier, and then overlooked for more than a century. Priority rules in fungal nomenclature require the use of the earliest valid name for any particular species. To prevent the mass change of names from Talaromyces to Lasioderma we are petitioning the ruling body of fungal taxonomy to allow the continued use of Talaromyces. Name stability in this group of fungi will benefit plant pathologists, medical professionals and academic taxonomists.

Technical Abstract: Lasioderma Mont., in Annls Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 3, 4 (no. 96): 364. 1845, threatens the use of Talaromyces C.R. Benj., in Mycologia 47: 681. 1955 because the two names appear to refer to the same fungal genus. Talaromyces is composed of nearly 70 species important in medicine, biocontrol of root rots and production of valuable primary and secondary metabolites. The name Lasioderma was never applied in Eurotiales as the author indicated Lasioderma was closely related to Trichoderma (Hypocreales). Taking up Lasioderma in place of Talaromyces would unnecessarily cause mass name changes