editorial

The combination Thamniella arbuscula is invaldly published in Index Byologicus as it is published in synonymy. Bescherelle created a new genus, Thamniella, for some species from Oceania in Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. sér. 5, 18: 239-240 (1873). He listed two species that must be shifted to his new genus, and two that probably should be shifted. He lists them under his new genus, and gives the name as they were known previously. "A ce genre doivent se rattacher les Hypnum vagum Hsch. de la Nouvelle-Hollande, H. divulsum Hook. et Wils. de la Tasmanie, et probablement le H. Arbuscula Hook. et H. pulvinatum Hook.f. et Wils de la Nouvelle-Zélande". Whether or not this constitutes valid publication of the combinations in Thamniella has been debated. However, Article 35.2 of the Shenzhen ICN code states: "A combination (autonyms excepted) is not validly published unless the author definitely associates the final epithet with the name of the genus or species, or with its abbreviation", and example 6 is the relevant exmple for Bescherelle's Thamniella species.