nomenclature query

[Barry M. OConnor]

I have a database question.  Carlos Linnaeus describes a new genus of
animal, Aus, with four species, A. smithi (type), A. jonesi, A. maximus and
A. minimus.  Thomas Darwin later proposes a new subgenus, Bus, in Aus, to
include jonesi (type), maximus and minimus.  In a later paper, Darwin
writes, "I here elevate Bus to generic rank as Bus, status nov."  In
neither case does Darwin actually spell out the new specific combinations,
i.e. Aus (Bus) jonesi, or later, Bus jonesi, etc.  At which point (if
either) are the species names considered new combinations?  Or are they not
so considered until someone first actually publishes the names in those
combinations?  My database needs to know. - Barry

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So many mites, so little time!
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Barry M. OConnor
Professor & Curator             phone: (734) 763-4354
Museum of Zoology               FAX: (734) 763-4080
University of Michigan          e-mail: bmoc at umich.edu
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079  USA