GENERIC NAMES OF THE FAMILY STAPHTLINIDAE 9 



The determination of tlie genotype of a genus is sometimes a very 

 complex problem (see next section) , but the use of genotypes in nomen- 

 clature is very simple. Wherever the type species is placed in the 

 classification, because of its zoological characteristics, the generic name 

 must follow it. For example, if the type species of generic name A 

 is placed in a genus (zoological group) that has no other generic name, 

 then the name A must be adopted for that genus. If the type species 

 is placed in a genus that already has a name (and possibly synonyms 

 also), the genus must take the oldest available name in the combined 

 list. The genotype in question may be only one of several species 

 being put into the genus at that time, but it is the one that determines 

 the fate of the generic name. For example, a genus A with species 

 1 , 2, 3, and 4 has as its genotype species 2. If it is divided for zoological 

 reasons into two groups including species 1, 3, and 4 and species 2, 

 respectively, the name A must go with species 2 (its genotype) even 

 if that is placed in a genus with an older name and even if the other 

 group (1, 3, 4) is left entirely without a name. 



The principle of genotypy is therefore this: Every generic name 

 must have a type species (genotype) to determine its zoological appli- 

 cation. The disposition of the type species will determine the 

 application of the generic name, but the status of other names 

 applied to the same zoologic genus (and its parts) will determine 

 the fate of the name in practice. For example, genus A has as 

 genotype species 1. This species is placed in another genus by 

 a later worker. The name A must now be applied to the second genus, 

 but whether it is the correct name for that second genus depends upon 

 whether there are prior names available. If the second genus already 

 is named B (with genotype species 2), and if B is older than A, then 

 the genus takes the name B (with its genotype species 2), and A 

 becomes a subjective junior synonym (with its genotype species 1). 

 If B was younger than A, the genus would take the name A, with 

 genotype species 1, and B would be the subjective junior synonym, 

 with its genotype species 2. 



This principle applies to all names in zoological nomenclature, 

 whether generic or subgeneric, synonyms or homonyms, original 

 spellings or justifiable emendations. 



GENOTYPE DETERMINATION 



One of the most detailed and complex sets of Rules and Opinions 

 about any subject in zoological nomenclature governs the determina- 

 tion of genotypes. Even so, the Rules fail to answer numerous ques- 

 tions that arise, and in fact leave unstated almost all the underlying 

 principles. These principles are of the utmost importance and will be 

 discussed below. 



