Scorpio chilensis Molina, 1782 (currently Bothriurus chilensis: Arachnida, Scorpiones): proposed suppression of the specific name

ACOSTA, L. E. & C. I. MATTONI

BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE

International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2003 vol. 60 p. 113 - 116

0007-5167

The purpose of this application, under Article 81.2 of the Code, is to produce nomenclatural stability by supression of the name Scorpio chilensis Molina, 1782 (currently Bothriurus chilensis). It is impossible to determine the actual scorpion species to which the name Scorpio chilensis was originally applied, and Molina's concept probably included more than one taxon. Subsequent authors have applied the name to various different taxa that occur in Chile and other South American countries. Any attempt to fix the name Scorpio chilensis to any one taxon would threaten the well established Chilean species Bothriurus vittatus (Guérin Méneville, 1838), B. coriaceus Pocock, 1893 and B. keyserlingii Pocock, 1893, resulting in nomenclatural instability.