Incorrect subsequent spelling

In zoological nomenclature, an incorrect subsequent spelling is a name whose spelling has been unjustifiably and unintentionally changed from the original. It is distinct from a mandatory change—a change to the original spelling that is required by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature—and an emendation—an intentional change to a name that may or may not be justified.^[1] For example, the rice rat Oryzomys peninsulae has occasionally been called "Oryzomys peninsularis", an incorrect subsequent spelling.^[2] However, if an incorrect subsequent spelling is in "prevailing usage", it is to be conserved; for example, although the name of the pathogen Trypanosoma brucei was originally spelled brucii, the spelling brucei is in general use and should be maintained.^[3]

References

1. International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), 1999, article 33
2. Carleton and Arroyo-Cabrales, 2009, p. 122
3. ICZN, 1999, article 33.3.1

Literature cited

• Carleton, M.D. and Arroyo-Cabrales, J. 2009. Review of the Oryzomys couesi complex (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) in Western Mexico. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 331:94–127.
• International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 1999. International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. 4th ed. London: The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature. ISBN 0-85301-006-4