The fundamental value of universal nomenclatural systems in biology is that they enable unambiguous scientific communication. However, the stability of these systems is threatened by recent discussions asking for a fairer nomenclature, raising the possibility of bulk revision processes for “inappropriate” names. It is evident that such proposals come from very deep feelings, but we show how they can irreparably damage the foundation of biological communication and, in turn, the sciences that depend on it. There are four essential consequences of objective codes of nomenclature: universality, stability, neutrality, and transculturality. These codes provide fair and impartial guides to the principles governing biological nomenclature and allow unambiguous universal communication in biology. Accordingly, no subjective proposals should be allowed to undermine them.

A key and synopsis of the genus Salsola L. (Chenopodiaceae) in North America north of Mexico are presented, including the taxonomy and distribution of six recog...

Pollen morphology of six species belonging to genera Ellisiophyllum and Sibthorpia (Plantaginaceae tribe Sibthorpieae) was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. The data were analyzed in the light of the first phylogenetic analysis including all but one species of the tribe using DNA sequence data from nuclear ribosomal (ITS) and plastid trnL-F region. Pollen grains in representatives of this tribe are 3-colpate, occasionally 3-porate, suboblate to prolate; mainly medium-sized, rarely small. One major pollen type (3-colpate) is recognized in the tribe. Within this pollen type, six subtypes are distinguished based on their exine sculpture, pollen grain size, length of the apertures, and exine thickness. The obtained results confirm that pollen characters are useful for species identification. Palynomorphological data are consistent with the results of the molecular phylogenetic analyses. All studies support a sister relationship of the widespread European Sibthorpia europaea with the widespread South American Sibthorpia repens and a sister relationship of two insular species, the Balearic Sibthorpia africana and the Madeiran Sibthorpia peregrina. Pollen grains in the tribe Sibthorpieae have both reticulate exine sculpture characteristic for representatives of the Russelieae–Cheloneae–Antirrhineae clades of Plantaginaceae, and also nanoechinate sculpture, which is typical for the Veroniceae and Plantagineae clades of that family. Also, in Sibthorpia repens, we observe a possible transition from the colpate type to the porate type typical for taxa of Plantago and Littorella.