Commentary
COMMENTARY
In his article “Analysis of Geographic Variation in theTownsend’s Warbler” (Condor 85:385-39 1, 1983), Michael L. Morrison barely avoided providing a valid subspecific name despite his stated intent not to do so. He stated (p. 388) that “. . . two identifiable populations of Townsend’s Warbler can be distinguished with sufficient accuracy to meet ‘accepted’ subspecies criteria .” He further provided (p. 389 and Table 1) diagnostic characters. Figure 3 of the paper is a photograph of part of a specimen and its attached labels, on which a handwritten trinomial and the word “Type” are plainly evident. This combination of name and indication satisfies all applicable provisions of Article 11 of the International Code of Zooiogical Nomenclature (1964) for availability in spite of the facts that Morrison indicated in the caption to the figure that he was not designating the illustrated bird as a type and (p. 390) that he was refraining from naming the subspecies because he was uncertain of its breeding grounds. The Code does not stipulate that intent is necessary for the availability of a name, and in this instance the facts are contrary to the stated intent. The subspecific name in the figure can only be considered a valid name of a subspecies, attributable to Morrison, albeit a name inadvertently published.
On page 390 of the article, however, Morrison stated: “In the event that a subspecies should in the future be formally named, I suggest that Grinnell’s name [shown in Figure 31] for this population be used . . . .” According to Article 15 of the Code, “After 1960, a new name proposed conditionally. . .is not available.” Thus the name shown in the photograph is not available under Article 15 despite the fact that it meets the provisions of Article 11. The accidental naming of a subspecies was narrowly averted. We urge authors, reviewers, and editors of taxonomic papers to be fully acquainted with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, and to consider its provisions when writing and studying a manuscript.
RICHARD C. BANKS and GEORGE E. WATSON
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20560.
