Lutra 61(1)_Smeenk_2018

A chronological review of the nomenclature of Delphinus rostratus Shaw, 1801 and Delphinus bredanensis (Lesson, 1828)

A chronological review is provided, elucidating the intertwined nomenclature of Delphinus rostratus Shaw 1801 and Delphinus bredanensis Lesson, 1828. Based on this review, Delphinus rostratus Shaw, 1801 is considered to be a senior synonym of Ina geoffrensis, and not a junior synonym of Delphinus gangeticus Lebeck, 1801. F. Cuvier in 1836 had found that the name Delphinus rostratus Cuvier was available for the rough-toothed dolphin, erroneously crediting his brother G. Cuvier 1812 and not Shaw 1801. The correct name of the rough-toothed dolphin is Steno bredanensis (Lesson, 1828). The type locality of the rough-toothed dolphin is the mouth of the river Scheldt. If Shaw´s type specimen of Delphinus rostratus cannot be located and re-examined, it may be best to consider the name as “nomen dubium” because the description is insufficient for identification or else to ask the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to suppress the name.