Cyzicenus

Cyzicenus is a taxonomic name that has appeared in the scientific literature to designate more than one genus in different groups over time. In contemporary classifications, the name is not recognized as a valid, current genus in a single lineage, and its use is largely historical.

Historically, Cyzicenus was applied to certain invertebrate taxa by early taxonomists. Through subsequent revisions, many species formerly placed in Cyzicenus were moved to other genera, and the exact circumscription of the name varied between authors and across time. Because the name has been used more than once and has not been consistently applied, its taxonomic role became uncertain in later work.

Current status in modern databases is generally one of historical or uncertain standing. Cyzicenus is often treated as a name that is either unavailable, a junior synonym, or a preoccupied name in discussions of nomenclature, rather than as a valid, widely accepted genus.

Etymology is typical of many taxonomic names, drawing on classical or geographic roots. The form Cyzicenus reflects common naming practices in which a base such as Cyzicus (an ancient city) is combined with a Latin suffix to create a genus name.

See also: taxonomic nomenclature, synonymy in biology, junior synonym, preoccupied name.