The correct original spelling of the specific name of Guerrerostrongylus zeta (Travassos, 1937) (Nematoda, Heligmonellidae), parasitic in South American rodents

Abstract

In 1937, Travassos described a new species of nematodein the genus Longistriata Schulz, 1926. He referred to it seven times asL. zetta in the main text, but also five times as L. zeta in the figurelegends. This nominal species is currently assigned to the genus GuerrerostrongylusSutton and Durette-Desset, 1991. The complete bibliography referring to thisspecies from 1937 to date comprises only 22 works. Although the spelling ‘zetta’ has prevailed since 2011, thecorrect original spelling of its specific name remains unsettled. Acting as FirstRevisers under Articles 24.2.3 and 32.2.1 of the International Code ofZoological Nomenclature, we hereby choose ‘zeta’as the correct original spelling of the specific name of this nematode, thusrendering ‘zetta’ an unavailable incorrectspelling. In making this choice, we have taken into account Travassos’ obviousintention to name the species after the sixth letter of the Greek alphabet and thelonger use of the spelling ‘zeta’ in therelevant literature, especially in those works in which ‘zeta’ (never ‘zetta’) was first combined with othergeneric names. We believe that standardizing the use of the spelling ‘zeta’ as the correct original spellingis the best way to stabilize this name.