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Title: TOWARDS A SINGLE SCIENTIFIC NAME FOR SPECIES OF FUNGI

Author
item Rossman, Amy
item Samuels, Gary

Submitted to: Inoculum
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/2005
Publication Date: 8/8/2005
Citation: Rossman, A.Y., Samuels, G.J. 2005 Towards a single scientific name for species of fungi. Inoculum. 56 (3) 3-6.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This position paper deals with the nomenclature of fungi, specifically how to determine a single scientific name for pleiomorphic fungi that reflects the phylogeny of taxa. The proposals are relatively straight-forward and logical, however, they represent a major shift in the current approach to nomenclature of fungi having both a teleomorphic and anamorphic state. This proposal assumes that a single name for each species is needed and that the scientific name of a species should reflect its phylogeny. The guidelines are specifically that teleomorphic (sexual, meiotic) and anamorphic (asexual, mitotic) names carry equal weight in deciding which name to use, thus the oldest published generic name would have priority. In addition, priority of species epithet should be the oldest one; alternatively epithets in the priority genus could have priority. This proposal is presented to engender discussion and hopefully move to a consensus about this issue because this is already happening in some mycological circles. At the least it will allow the mycological community to determine where the disagreements lie in making the change to one scientific name for fungi.