Generic names of northern and southern fur seals (Mammalia: Otariidae)
Marine Mammal Science
By: A.L. Gardner and C.B. Robbins
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Abstract
We have resolved a nomenclatural problem discovered during research on the northern fur seal that concerns the correct generic name for this taxon and for fur seals of the Southern Hemisphere. The unfortunate practice by some 19th century authors to use names in their Latinized form, but to date them from their first appearance as French common names led to the use of Arctocephalus for southern fur seals when the name correctly applies to the northern fur seal, known today as Callorhinus ursinus. However, Arctocephalus and Callorhinus are antedated by Otoes G. Fischer, 1817, which is the earliest available generic for the fur seal of the northern Pacific. The earliest available generic name for southern fur seals is Halarctus Gill, 1866. To avoid the confusion that would result from replacing the currently used generic names with those required by strict adherence to the Principle of Priority, we have petitioned the International Commission on Zoological nomenclature to preserve Arctocephalus and Callorhinus for the southern and northern fur seals, respectively.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Generic names of northern and southern fur seals (Mammalia: Otariidae) |
| Series title | Marine Mammal Science |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1998 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 544-551 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Marine Mammal Science |
| First page | 544 |
| Last page | 551 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |