An evaluation of the nomina for death adders (Acanthophis Daudin, 1803) proposed by Wells & Wellington (1985), and confirmation of A. cryptamydros Maddock et al., 2015 as the valid name for the Kimberley death adder

2021/06/29 by Ryan J. Ellis, Hinrich Kaiser, Simon T. Maddock +2 · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Ichthyology and Marine Biology #Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies #Amphibian and Reptile Biology

paper · pdf · doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4995.1.9

openalex publication_date 2021/06/29 · openalex created_date 2021/07/05 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

We assess the availability of four names proposed by Wells Wellington (1985) for Australian death adders (Acanthophis). In agreement with previous literature, A. hawkei is an available name, whereas A. armstrongi, A. lancasteri, and A. schistos are not described in conformity with the requirements of Articles 13.1.1 or 13.1.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and are therefore considered nomina nuda. Consequently, A. cryptamydros Maddock et al., 2015, is confirmed as the valid name for the Kimberley death adder of Western Australia. We comment on the need for greater clarity in the Code, and emphasise that the responsibility for establishing the availability of new nomina rests with their authors, not subsequent researchers.

Cited by

• Kimberley death adder [wikipedia]

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