ZOOTAXA

ZOOTAXA65In the interest of establishing a single name-bearing type for each nicrophorine specieslectotypes are designated herein for 15 valid species names and 1 junior synonym. Thisjunior synonym, Nicrophorus interruptus var. algiricus Pasquet, represents a population ofNicrophorus interruptus Stephens isolated in northern Africa which may, upon furtherstudy, prove to be deserving of species rank. Data for paralectotypes are also listed. Weestimate that a total of 44 of the 68 valid species of the Nicrophorinae have single primarytype specimens (holotypes, neotypes, or lectotypes).FormatThere exist various layouts that have been used to present the data of a bibliographic catalog.We have compared some of the more common styles (e.g. Hatch 1928; Otte 1997; andSlater 1964) and used elements of multiple styles herein. In doing so we hope to avoidwhat we see as drawbacks of various presentation formats while incorporating advantagesof each. Particular elements that we have used include: a linear arrangement of citationsrather than a wrap-around arrangement; a complete literature cited section rather thanabbreviated citations in the list itself; sorting of junior synonyms alphabetically beneaththe complete listing of the senior name rather than intermixing their citations, chronologicallysorted, with those of the senior name. A linear arrangement greatly improves ease ofuse at the cost of greater page length; a complete literature cited section both greatly facilitatesfuture work by allowing new citations to be easily added to a database derived fromthe literature cited section and allows more room for notes following the citation in thespecies section of the catalog; sorting the junior synonyms with all their associated citationsto the end of the list of valid species citations greatly simplifies future changes, suchas desynonymization or movement to a new senior synonym that would be painful toaccomplish if all junior synonym citations were intermixed under each senior name. Allnames are arranged alphabetically by their specific epithet rather than phylogenetically, aswas done by Hatch (1928).Although notes are associated with many citations, the emphasis in compiling thiscatalog has been on establishing the history of usage for each name rather than creating acompilation of all biological, distributional, and other miscellaneous information for eachentry. Nevertheless, an effort has been made to include the more important works on biology,behavior , distribution, immature stages, etc. The information in parentheses followinga citation refers to the refernce itself and not necessarily the name being cited.Following some species we include a Comments section which includes text supportingany taxonomic changes or nomenclatural acts made to names herein.8 © 2002 Magnolia PressSIKES ET AL.