The nomenclatural enigma of single versus double -i endings for scientific patronyms emended to represent a man's name: A comment and some considerations

The current inconsistency over the use of single vs. double -i endings for singular masculine scientific patronyms in official lists of scientific names of fishes causes needless confusion and labor. Taxonomists once preferred rules for Latinization calling for double -i endings, but current rules suggest single -i endings. Recent rulings by the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature make it impossible to produce uniformity in this area. It is suggested that the Committee on Names of Fishes submit a petition to the Commission that modifies the present rules to allow the use of single -i endings in most cases and thus conform with current literature and the opinions of most ichthyologists.