TAXON_PARENT_CHILD_SYNONYM - AtlasOfLivingAustralia/ala-dataquality GitHub Wiki
Description
The supplied name can be matched either onto the parent species or an autonymic subspecies
Related fields
- dwc:kingdom
- dwc:phylum
- dwc:class
- dwc:order
- dwc:family
- dwc:genus
- dwc:scientificName
- dwc:scientificNameAuthorship
- genericName
- dwc:specificEpithet
- dwc:infraspecificEpithet
- dwc:taxonRank
- dwc:vernacularName
Implications and caveats
Severity: Warning
Required to indicate when splitting of a taxon has occurred and there is an autonym. This can occur at any level.
An example of an autonym is when a botanist creates a new subdivision of a genus, for example by dividing a large genus into two or more subgenera, sections, or series, then a new subdivision of the genus at each of the new ranks will share the type of the genus and have as its epithet the name of the genus.
A second example is where magpies have been split below the species level and it is unclear which subspecies to use for an historical occurrence. Previously, magpies where classified as Gymnorhina tibicen. They have since been split into:
Gymnorhina tibicen telonocua(the white-backed magpie)- a bunch of others and
Gymnorhina tibicen tibicen(all the other magpies that don't fit into other subspecies).
There will be a synonym saying a Gymnorhina tibicen is now Gymnorhina tibicen tibicen. But we don't really know that, since it might be a higher-level identification or a historical record. So back to G. tibicen it goes. This is essentially a warning that the exact taxonomy for the occurrence is unclear.
Data custodian recommendations
Review scientific name and taxonomic information provided. If the identification can be more specific (e.g. an associated specimen is available), please revise.