Though I know what Comb. nov. means, I need to know if this is regulated by ICZN and which article regulates it.
The ICZN code is on-line and can be found at http://iczn.org/iczn/index.jsp
Thank you John, I know that site, I just could not find suitable article, which deals with comb. nov. Could you tell me?
Dear George; Please see Chapter 10, Article 48: ''Change of generic assignment'', and Article 34.2, about the need to have the gender of the species name in agreement with the genus gender (except for nouns in apposition, see Art. 34.2.1).
For the definition of ''new combination'', see also the Glossary, just after Chapter 18.
You may also consider article 51.3 for the use of parentheses around authors' names (and dates) in changed combinations.
The transfer of a species from one genus to another is indeed the result of a taxonomic opinion. The Codes do not tell which opinion is appropriate. However, when an opinion leads to the creation of a new binomen, that creation IS a nomenclatural act. In particular, it may result in homonymy that did not exist before, with consequent need to abandon one of one of the homonyms.
It appears that zoological (in contrast to botanical) nomenclature neglects new combinations. There seems to be no tradition of recording (indexing) them, their date, place and authorship, contrary to botanical habit; nor am I aware of rules that govern their formation. This has some drawbacks, at least for databases; but with millions unrecorded such recombinations on hand, it is not likely to change.
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