Abstract

ACOSTA, Luis E.. Zoological Nomenclature: opportunities and challenges in the digital age. Rev. Soc. Entomol. Argent. [online]. 2007, vol.66, n.3-4, pp.27-40. ISSN 0373-5680.

Along its history, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature has needed to adapt its rules to changing realities, without affecting the goals of universality and stability of names. In recent years, major challenges have been promoted by rapid developments in the field of information technology and the use of Internet, which renewed the discussions in some fundamental issues, like the concept of publication and the criteria of availability. This article provides a brief account, a conceptual framework and some comments on several proposed changes to the Code, currently under discussion. These proposals range from the validity of electronic publications, to the establishment of the mandatory register in an open-access data base, the ZooBank, as an additional requirement to availability. The usefulness, need and possibilities for the implementation of the initiative, its importance to help the taxonomic knowledge, and its eventual effects on the freedom of thought and action of the taxonomists are analyzed.

Keywords : ZooBank; Databases; Biodiversity crisis; Availability; Digital publication.

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