Charles Spence Bate: what's in a name?

Area of Science:

• Taxonomy
• Carcinology
• Scientific Nomenclature

Background:

• Inconsistent citation of Charles Spence Bate's authority in scientific literature.
• Variations include "Spence Bate" and "Bate", causing ambiguity in species attribution.
• Examples: Artemesia longinaris Spence Bate, 1888 vs. Ibacus brevipes Bate, 1888.

Purpose of the Study:

• To resolve the inconsistency in the citation of Charles Spence Bate's taxonomic authority.
• To establish the correct and standardized way to refer to taxa described by him.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a manual search of selected contemporary scientific journals.
• Focused on the publication period from approximately 1854 to 1889.
• Analyzed alphabetical listings of Charles Spence Bate by family/surname ("Bate", "Spence Bate", "Spence-Bate").

Main Results:

• Overwhelming evidence confirmed that Charles Spence Bate's family/surname is Bate.
• Identified multiple carcinologists sharing the surname Bate.
• Established the correct citation for taxa described by him.

Conclusions:

• The correct surname for the authority Charles Spence Bate is Bate.
• To avoid confusion with other carcinologists named Bate, taxa should be cited as C.S. Bate.
• Recommended citation format: Artemesia longinaris C.S. Bate, 1888 and Ibacus brevipes C.S. Bate, 1888.