Proposal (455) to South American Classification Committee

Aratinga maculata has priority over recently described A. pintoi

Effect on South American CL: change scientific name of Aratinga pintoi (Sulphur-breasted Parakeet) to Aratinga maculata.

Background and rationale: see Nemésio and Rasmussen (2009).

Despite confusing nomenclatural history, these authors have shown in great detail that Psittacus maculatus Statius Müller, 1776, based on Buffon’s “Guarouba” or “Perriche jaune” (not “Guarouba” of Marcgrave = presently Golden Parakeet), is the valid nomen of this species.

Also, to establish nomenclatural stability, the holotype of Aratinga pintoi was designated by Nemésio and Rasmussen as a neotype of both Psittacus maculatus and Psittacus luteus (Boddaert, 1783, type species of the genus Aratinga, establishing an objective synonymy among the three nomina.

Recommendation: Because this well-done article is supported by the sources consulted, and especially by the rules and recommendations of ICZN, I vote Yes to the recommendation of Nemésio and Rasmussen to correct the nomenclature of this species.

References:

ICZN (1999) International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Fourth Edition. Padova: The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature.

Nemésio, A. & C. Rasmussen (2009) The rediscovery of Buffon’s “Guarouba” or “Perriche jaune”: two senior synonyms of Aratinga pintoi Silveira, Lima & Höfling, 2005 (Aves: Psittaciformes). Zootaxa 2013:1-16.

José Fernando Pacheco, 3 August 2010

____________________________________________________________________________

Comments from Stotz: “NO. The name maculata is an old one that as far as I have been able to determine has essentially been unused since proposed. Is there any reason to resurrect it for a species that was recently recognized and named other than strict priority?”

Comments from Robbins: “NO. I agree with Doug -- we are contemplating using a name from 1776 that apparently has never been used. Changing the name from the widely recognized pintoi to maculatus is not adding stability, only confusion. I believe there is an article in the ICZN code that when a name hasn’t been used in the past xx years, strict priority does not trump everything else. I believe this is applicable here. Thus, we should stick with using pintoi.”