Re: preferred family names

[Stanley Friesen <sarima@ix.netcom.com>]

At 01:28 PM 1/21/99 -0600, Justin S Tweet wrote:
>   Just out of curiosity, why is Caenagnathidae preferred over
>Elmisauridae when *Caenagnathus* is commonly considered to be a junior
>synonym of *Chirostenotes*?  Even though Caenagnathidae is the older
>name, wouldn't it go down the tubes if *Caenagnathus* was no longer
>considered a separate genus? 

Nope.  The Code explicitly specifies that the oldest valid family group
name applies, even if the genus forming the stem is a junior synonym.

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May the peace of God be with you.         sarima@ix.netcom.com