REX A. DOESCHER - Smithsonian Institution Libraries

Living and Fossil
Brachiopod Genera 1775-1979
Introduction
LISTS AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
Rex A. Doescher
Fifteen years have elapsed since the Treatise on
Invertebrate Paleontology, Part H: Brachiopoda became
the standard reference for brachiopod workers
worldwide. The Treatise recognized approximately
1700 distinct genera and placed an additional
500 in synonomy; subsequently, over 1200
new genera of brachiopods have been proposed.
In less than two decades the generic list grew to
a size 50 percent greater than that amassed in the
preceding 204 year interval. Some of this growth
was described in Richard E. Grant's presidential
address to the Paleontological Society in November
1979. 2
It became apparent that an updated brachiopod
generic list was necessary to complement
both the Zoological Record and Neave's Nomenclator
Zoologicus, which have often lagged years behind
current research. One aspect of the effort to compile
such a list was the creation of a file that
1 Moore, Raymond C, editor, Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology,
Part H: Brachiopoda, 2 volumes (Lawrence, Kansas:
The Geological Society of America and University of Kansas
Press, 1965).
2 Grant, R. E., "The Human Face of the Brachiopod,"
Journal of Paleontology, volume 54, number 3 (1980), pages
499-507, 9 figures.
Rex A. Doescher, Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of
Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C 20560.
1
contains photocopies or reprints of over 3800
references to new brachiopod genera. Also, in
recognition of the benefits relating to computer
data retrieval, a computer data file was built
utilizing a Honeywell (Series 60) Model 66/05
computer under the Time Sharing and Text Editor
subsystem. Henceforth, if a researcher has a
specific area of interest, e.g., Permian Productacea,
the data can be sorted on the desired fields
exclusively, thereby limiting the printout to his
area of interest and also providing him with an
updated list of all brachiopod genera in this
category within months, rather than years, of
publication. The present study is the outgrowth
of the compilation of these manual and computer
files.
The "Annotated List of Genera and Subgenera"
contains all the names of brachiopod genera
and subgenera published between 1775 and 1979.
Literature citations for original publications are
given for all valid genera and subgenera, including
subjective synonyms. Symbols or annotations
designate junior subjective synonyms, junior objective
synonyms, junior homonyms, misspellings,
nomina nuda, replacement names, and other nomenclatural
problems. In literature citations, the
page or plate number locates the designation of
the type-species. Multiple citations are given if
the taxon has been presented as "new" in more
than one publication. The "Literature Cited" is