The naming of Homo bodoensis by Roksandic and colleagues does not resolve issues surrounding Middle Pleistocene human evolution. Issue 5 (27th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Delson, Eric; Stringer, Chris
• Is Part Of: Evolutionary anthropology. Volume 31:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 233
• Page End: 236
• Publication Date: 2022-06-27
• Subjects: hominin taxonomy -- Homo bodoensis -- Homo heidelbergensis -- Homo rhodesiensis -- zoological nomenclature; Human evolution -- Periodicals; Anthropology -- Periodicals; Physical anthropology -- Periodicals; Human ecology -- Periodicals; Homme -- Évolution -- Périodiques; Anthropologie -- Périodiques; Écologie humaine -- Périodiques; 599.905
• DOI: 10.1002/evan.21950
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1060-1538

Abstract

Abstract: Roksandic et al. (2022) proposed the new species name Homo bodoensis as a replacement name for Homo rhodesiensis Woodward, 1921, because they felt it was poorly and variably defined and was linked to sociopolitical baggage. However, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature includes regulations on how and when such name changes are allowed, and Roksandic et al.'s arguments meet none of these requirements. It is not permitted to change a name solely because of variable (or erroneous) later use once it has been originally defined correctly, nor can a name be modified because it is offensive to one or more authors or to be politically expedient. We discuss past usage of H. rhodesiensis and the relevant nomenclatural procedures, the proposed evolutionary position of H. bodoensis, and issues raised about decolonizing paleoanthropology. We reject H. bodoensis as a junior synonym, with no value from its inception.