Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis (Acari: Ixodidae), a correct original species name, with notes on Chinese geographical and personal names in zoological taxa

Abstract

The correct original species name Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis Teng, 1980 was derived from Latinization of a geographical name, in conformity with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) (1961), Articles 11 and 32, and Appendices C and D (ICZN 3rd ed., 1985), as well as Article 11, Recommendation 11A (ICZN 4th ed., 1999). The incorrect subsequent spelling “quinghaiensis” is not an available name and cannot be used as a substitute name (ICZN 3rd ed., Article 34c, and 4th ed., Article 33.3). The geographical name “Qinghai” means blue lake, a large lake of northwestern China from which Qinghai Province derives its name. It is therefore not surprising that naturalists exploring Qinghai Province have applied the specific epithet qinghaiensis to their discoveries. Currently, over 160 species of plants, animals, and even bacteria bear the name qinghaiensis. Romanization of Chinese words was approved by the Chinese government in 1958 and subsequently registered with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which has consultative status with the United Nations under ISO-7098.1977, revised as ISO-7098.1991.