Date: December 22nd 2025

Dear Colleagues,

Your journal is a partner of "Geosciences e-Journals" https://carnetsgeol.net/geosciences/x0-electronica.php , and we are very proud to have you involved in the portal and the ring.

As a palaeontologist, I would like to draw your attention to a recurring issue regarding the citation of taxon authorships.

In your contributor instructions (https://palaeo-electronica.org/content/contributor-instructions#general ) it is stated that:

> "Authors should follow the practices set out in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature http://iczn.org or the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (Melbourne Code) http://www.iapt-taxon.org/nomen/main.php ."

However, in the "Systematic Palaeontology" sections, the word "and" is systematically used to link the names of two co-authors, which is inconsistent with both the ICZN and the ICBN (ICN).

For instance:
Family CAVUSGNATHIDAE Austin and Rhodes, 1981
Genus CAVUSGNATHUS Harris and Hollingsworth, 1933

Below is the correct way to cite authorships according to the Codes.

### International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (ICN)

According to Recommendation 46C.1, when there are two authors, they should be linked by "et" (Latin) or by an ampersand (&), not by "and".

If I write a paper in a language other than English, I would never use "und", "e", "y", etc., but always "et" or "&", in order to comply with the Code.

Relevant references:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Author_citation_(botany)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Author_citation_(zoology)

Please consult the first article citing a taxon in the latest (English) edition of the ICN:
http://www.iapt-taxon.org/nomen/main.php?page=art3

You will see that the authors of the Code (the sole authority here) consistently use "&", not "and".

More specifically, see Recommendation 46C:
[ttps://www.iapt-taxon.org/nomen/pages/main/art_46.html

> "46C.1. After a name published jointly by two authors, both authors should be cited, linked by the word "et" or by an ampersand (&).
> Example: Didymopanax gleasonii Britton et P. Wilson or "D." gleasonii Britton & P. Wilson.
>
> 46C.2. After a name published jointly by more than two authors, the citation should be restricted to the first author followed by "et al." or "& al.", except in the original publication.

### International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN)

The same principle applies under the ICZN:
https://www.iczn.org/the-code/the-international-code-of-zoological-nomenclature/

See Articles 50–51, in particular Recommendation 51E. Citation of contributors, which explicitly uses "&" and never "and".

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And now, a small joke to conclude:
If one believes that "&" or "et" should be replaced by "and", why not also replace "et al." with "and al." or "and others" :Q

Warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a brighter New Year,

Bruno Granier
Editor-in-Chief at Carnet Geol. https://carnetsgeol.net/cg/en-index.html
Coordinator of Geosciences e-Journals https://carnetsgeol.net/geosciences/
(author at Palaeontologia electronica https://doi.org/10.26879/923 https://doi.org/10.26879/743 )