SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 73 



OPINION 99 



Endainocha Lianv, 1879, vs. Entamoeba Casagrandi and 

 Barbagallo, 1895 



Summary. — Eutamocha 1895, with blattae as type by subsequent (1912) 

 designation, is absolute synonym of Endainocha Leidy, 1879a, p. 300, type 

 blattae, and invalidates Jiiitaiiiocba 1895, type by subsequent (1913) designa- 

 tion honiiiiis = coli. 



Statement of case. — Dr. W. H. Taliaferro presents the follow- 

 ing case for (Jpinion : 



Should the two generic names Endamoeba Leidy, 1879, and Entavioeba Casa- 

 grandi & Barbagallo, 1895, both be retained or should they be considered 

 homonyms? It is impossible to decide this question from the existing Inter- 

 national Rules. The spirit of Article 35, a-e, would point to the conclusion that 

 they were homonyms, but Article 36 (recommendations) would allow the 

 interpretation that both should be retained. In the past, authors have disagreed 

 in regard to tliis question. Dobell (1919, "The Amoebae Living in Man"), 

 for exanrple, advocates the retention of both names whereas others consider 

 them homonyms. 



Discussion. — This is a case upon which legitimate difference of 

 opinion may arise. It has both its academic and its practical aspects. 



The first point at issue is whether Endamoeba and Enfanioeba are 

 homonyms, or whether they come under the first recommendation of 

 Article 36 which reads as follows : 



It is well to avoid the introduction of new generic names which differ from 

 generic names already in use only in termination or in a slight variation in 

 spelling which might lead to confusion. Rut when once introduced, such names 

 are not to be rejected on this account. Examples: Pit us, Pica; Polyodus, 

 Polyodon. Polyndonta. Polyndontas. Pnlyodniitiis. 



Neither Leidy, 1879. nor Casagrandi & Barbagallo. 1895 and 1897. 

 gave the derivation of their generic name. Accordingly, the conceiv- 

 able possibilities as to etymology seem to lie in recommendations e 

 and k of Article 8 which read as follows : 



The following words may be taken as generic names : 



c. Greek or Latin derivatives expressing diniinution, comparison, resemblance, 

 or possession. Examples: Dolmni, Doliolum; Strongylus. Eustrongylus; 

 Liina.v, Limacella, Lim-acia, Limacina, Limacites, Limacula; Lingula, Lingulclla, 

 Lingulcpis, Lingulina, Lingulops, Lingulopsis: Neomema. Proneomenia; Butco, 

 Archibuteo; Gordius, Paragordius, Polygordius. 



k. Words formed by an arbitrary combination of letters. Examples : Neda, 

 Clanculus, Salifa, Torix. 



