Nomenclatural Registration and Genetic Data Submission

Nomenclatural Registration and Genetic Data Submission

1. Purpose of This Policy

Zoological Records and Reviews is committed to maintaining accuracy, transparency, and reproducibility in zoological research. This policy establishes clear requirements for nomenclatural registration and genetic data submission, particularly for studies involving new taxa, taxonomic revisions, phylogenetics, and molecular analyses.

The policy ensures compliance with international standards and supports long-term accessibility of scientific data.

 

2. Nomenclatural Registration (ICZN Compliance)

2.1 New Taxa and Nomenclatural Acts

Manuscripts that describe:

  • New species, genera, or higher taxa
  • Taxonomic revisions or nomenclatural acts

must comply with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).

 

2.2 ZooBank Registration

For works involving new zoological names or nomenclatural acts:

  • Registration in ZooBank is mandatory prior to publication
  • The ZooBank Life Science Identifier (LSID) must be provided in the manuscript
  • The LSID should be clearly stated in the relevant section of the article

ZooBank registration ensures the official recognition and traceability of zoological names.

???? ZooBank: https://zoobank.org

 

3. Type Specimens and Voucher Material

Authors describing new taxa must clearly indicate:

  • Deposition of type specimens (holotype, paratypes)
  • Name and location of the recognized museum or institutional repository
  • Accession or catalog numbers

Voucher specimens for molecular or morphological studies should be deposited in accessible, recognized collections whenever possible.

 

4. Genetic Data Submission Requirements

4.1 DNA and Sequence Data

Studies involving genetic, genomic, or molecular data must deposit sequence data in publicly accessible repositories prior to publication. Accepted repositories include:

  • GenBank (NCBI)
  • EMBL-EBI
  • DDBJ

Accession numbers must be provided in the manuscript.

 

4.2 Large-Scale or Genomic Data

For whole-genome, transcriptomic, or large-scale datasets, authors are encouraged to use appropriate repositories such as:

  • NCBI Sequence Read Archive (SRA)
  • European Nucleotide Archive (ENA)
  • Dryad, Figshare, or other recognized data repositories

 

5. Data Availability Statement

All manuscripts involving genetic or molecular data must include a Data Availability Statement specifying:

  • Where the data are deposited
  • Accession numbers or persistent identifiers
  • Conditions for access, if any

This statement promotes transparency and reproducibility.

 

6. Accuracy and Responsibility

Authors are responsible for ensuring that:

  • All nomenclatural registrations are valid and complete
  • Accession numbers are accurate and active
  • Genetic data correspond precisely to the specimens described

Errors identified post-publication may require correction or editorial action.

 

7. Ethical and Legal Compliance

Authors must ensure that:

  • Collection and use of biological materials comply with national and international regulations
  • Necessary permits and approvals are obtained
  • Genetic resource use complies with applicable access and benefit-sharing frameworks

 

8. Editorial Review and Verification

The editorial team may verify:

  • ZooBank registrations
  • Accession numbers
  • Repository links

Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned for revision or rejected.

 

9. Exceptions and Special Cases

In rare cases where public data deposition is not possible (e.g., legal or conservation restrictions), authors must provide a clear justification. Such cases are reviewed at the editor’s discretion.

 

10. Policy Review and Updates

This policy is reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with evolving zoological standards, repository practices, and indexing requirements.