Search

The article provides information on an application to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) to conserve the generic name Acanthurus Forsskål, 1775 in its accustomed usage the designation of Chaetodon sohal Forsskål, 1775 as the type species. Topics discussed include the nominal species Chaetodon unicornis Forsskål, 1775, the first designation of a type species, and the use of the genus Acanthurus for species of surgeonfishes.

The purpose of this application, under Article 81 of the Code, is to conserve the widely used generic name Acanthurus Forsskål, 1775 in its accustomed usage by the designation of Chaetodon sohal Forsskål, 1775 as the type species. The nominal species Chaetodon unicornis Forsskål, 1775 is currently the type species of Acanthurus by the subsequent designation of Jordan & Everman (1898), but this species currently belongs in the unicornfish genus Naso Lacepède, 1801, effectively rendering Acanthurus a senior synonym of Naso. It is proposed that all previous type fixations for Acanthurus including the one by Jordan & Evermann (1898) be set aside and that C. sohal be designated the type species of Acanthurus in accordance with the current usage of Acanthurus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]