Third World Congress of Herpetology Resolutions
Resolution No. 1
In the light of every-increasing evidence that populations and species of amphibians in many parts of the world are experiencing declines and even disappearances, and believing that these phenomena have relevance for our understanding of local, regional and possibly even global environmental processes, be it resolved that the Third World Congress of Herpetology, convened in Prague, Czech Republic, in August, 1997, commends the Task Force on Declining Amphibian Populations for its activities, urges it to continue and extend its efforts, and endorses its support by both governmental and non-governmental organizations and individuals throughout the world.
Prague, August 5, 1997
DAPTF Board and Symposiasts in “Declining Amphibian Populations: Geography and Possible Causes”
To be addressed to:
World Band
EPA/USA
NERC/GB
EPA European Community
Wildlife Australia
Ministry of the Environment/Australia
United Nations/Commission on Sustainable Development
United Nations/Convention on Biological Diversity
IUCN
UNEP
UNDP
UNESCO
Biosphere Research Program
Potential sponsors: FFI, Conservation International
Others
Third World Congress of Herpetology
Resolution No. 2
In recent years, there is a considerable increase in number of publications dealing with amphibians and reptiles with a non-scientific designation.
During our studies on systematics of Madagascan Poison Frogs (Mantella), we have come across a number of publications in such journals in which new scientific names were introduced without intention of erecting new species or subspecies (Mantella marojezyi, M. aurantiaca rubra, M. a. milotympanum, M. nasuta, M. mysteriosa). Although most of these have to be considered as nomina nuda, some were accompanied by a “diagnosis”, and therefore are nomenclatorally available according to the current version of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (1985).
From a herpetological point of view, there is a strong interest in avoiding such accidental taxa descriptions and “phantom names”.
Therefore we propose that the Executive Committee of the WCH III should support the following resolution directed to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.
It should be resolved that the forthcoming edition of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature which currently is in preparation should include the following minimal requirements:
In new species and subspecies descriptions, published after publication of the new code edition, the code should be unequivocal in demanding
(1) a diagnosis;
(2) a designation of a holotype;
(3) the deposition of the holotype in a public scientific collection;
(4) a description of the holotype.
Prague, August 5, 1997
Frank Glaw, Jörn Köhler, Stefan Lötters, Miguel Vences, Wolfgang Böhme, and fifteen others.
Third World Congress of Herpetology
Resolution No. 3
We, the participants, acknowledge the overwhelming effort and dedication of Secretary-General Marvalee H. Wake in her tireless oversight and provocative leadership of Congressional activities and business during the past three and one-half years. And further:
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Congress Director, Zbyněk Roček, for his conscientious planning and assiduous attention to detail that has led to the Third World Congress of Herpetology being convened in the remarkable city of Prague in the Czech Republic in the month of August, 1997, and that has resulted in a stimulating scientific program enhanced by an array of congenial social events. And last but not least,
We thank all the persons below, without whom the Congress would not have been possible:
Congress Center of the Czech Medical Association J. E. Purkyně:
Helena Loneková
Zdena Bártová
Jaroslava Černá
Jana Dohnalová
Jindra Dudová
Irena Chvojková
Saša Kurfürstová
Viktor Lonek
Monika Šenderová
Martina Šustová
CBT Travel Agency (accommodation, tourist programme):
Zuzana Tesařová
Student Staff:
Eva Austová
Alice Badalcová
Michal Berdych
Jan Bilík
Tomáš Čermák
Irena Češková
František Gebr
Martina Gottwaldová
Martina Hajmová
Marie Hučínová
Jana Chlumecká
Alice Janatová
Zdenek Jelínek
Petra Kamenská
Hynek Kempfer
Vladislava Koreňová
Martin Lonek
Olga Nováková
Jitka Pechová
Augusto Perea
Tomáš Pribiš
Martina Radonská
Ladislav Senolt
Klára Švecová
Radka Švihová
Štěpán Vorlíček
Barbora Závodská
