How/When does a Proposed Name Get Accepted?

[Quixotic]

As a remark, the name A. huascar is just a proposed name by Romer, it does not mean it's accepted internationally... Sunpin and Sunrise are the names that people use in trading this species.

I came across this remark in another thread on Apistogramma sp. 'Sunpin' / Apistogramma huascar. So I got intrigued on how does a proposed name get accepted.

I understand that these descriptions are normally published in scientific journals but A. huascar is described in a book, Uwe Romer's Cichlid Atlas Vol 2 (along with 3 other new descriptions of Apistogramma and erection of the new genus Ivanacara).

I can't exactly remember what I have read previously, but I thought it is okay for descriptions to be published however the author wishes, in scientific journals, books or even magazines.

So why is it that A. huascar isn't accepted internationally? What about those that were published in scientific journals? Are they "automatically" recognised and accepted as well? If so, wouldn't there be a distinction between publishing in scientific journals as opposed to books/magazines?

[hwchoy]

the validity of a name is prescribed in The Code (ICZN v4) http://www.iczn.org/iczn/

[benny]

I believe that even when names are proposed in scientific journals, they are not automatically accepted. Sometimes, they can be challenged and occasionally, they can be rejected or reverted (in the case of a proposed reclassification).

Also, there are occasions where names are proposed in hobbyist publications instead. This is sometimes frowned upon by the scientific community, but it happens.

Cheers,

[hwchoy]

accepted and valid is two different thing. as long as it satisfy the guidelines in The Code, then a name is valid. However the community may not accept it and in order to reverse it another paper has to be published, in accordance to the Code, and point out invalidity or re-establishing the previous name.

[Quixotic]

So if I am reading this correctly, A. huascar can be used (as it is valid) until someone comes along and publishes a paper to point out invalidity or re-establishing the previous name?

[hwchoy]

I don't know the circumstance of this name so I cannot comment on validity. What makes you say "as it is valid"? if what you say is correct that it will HAVE to be used.

[Quixotic]

"Valid" as in it conforms to http://www.iczn.org/iczn/? Sorry, haven't fully read all of it yet, much less to understand it all.

[hwchoy]

if so then it is a valid name, however you may choose to disagree and continue to use a previous "not valid" name. but the only way to invalidate that "valid name" is to write a paper pointing out why it should not be valid and proposing an alternative (reverting to an older name, etc).

[Quixotic]

Thanks Choy, much clearer now.