An author described a new insect species in a doctoral thesis, back in 1986. The document is now available as a downloadable PDF, but only since 2019. Another taxonomist described a new species based on the same specimens (type specimens) of the previous author, mentioning that the specimen label bears ‘n.sp.’, species name, the name of the previous author, etc., but apparently without knowing about the above doctoral thesis at that time.
Which name should take priority? (In my opinion, it is the first publication, i.e. the doctoral thesis, I see no contradiction with the Code).
A PhD thesis doesn't normally constitute a "published work" based on the ICZN (see below). That's one of the minimal requirements to consider a valid name. So, unless they rule otherwise... you can always contact ICZN and propose opening a case or clarification about it: https://www.iczn.org/cases/
"Article 9. What does not constitute published work
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 8, none of the following constitutes published work within the meaning of the Code:
[...]
9.12. facsimiles or reproductions obtained on demand of an unpublished work [Art. 8], even if previously deposited in a library or other archive.
Example. A Ph.D. thesis that was distributed only to members of the student's thesis committee is listed for sale in the catalogue of a print-on-demand publisher. The print-on-demand work is a reproduction of the thesis. Because the thesis was an unpublished work in its original form, it remains unpublished. If an editorial process was evident in converting the work to print-on-demand form (e.g., change to single spacing, repagination, addition of running headers), it might be considered published."
Thank you Xabier Vázquez-Campos. So – before going to ICZN – if I understand correctly, the thesis remained unpublished at least until the PDF version of it was made freely available to anyone in 2019. Therefore, the second author’s species name (published back in 2016) takes priority and the name published in the thesis becomes a junior synonym.
Not sure if the thesis can be considered as such though. It is a very specific case, so I'd rather email ICZN for their opinion.
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