Rubriceras

Rubriceras is a taxonomic name that has appeared in scientific literature as a genus designation in more than one biological group. Because the name has been independently proposed for different organisms by different authors, its precise application is ambiguous in many cases. In paleontology and zoological nomenclature, rubriceras has sometimes been used as a provisional or historic genus name, and some described species have later been reassigned to other genera or deemed nomina dubia due to limited or poorly preserved material. The lack of a single, widely accepted type material makes it difficult to establish a stable diagnosis for rubriceras across groups.

The etymology of rubriceras is not uniform, but the form generally derives from Latin roots such as ruber 'red' and a common suffix used in genus names; the exact intended meaning, when stated, varies by author.

In current usage, researchers typically resolve ambiguities by referencing the original publication where rubriceras was erected and by examining type specimens if they exist. When multiple, conflicting uses of rubriceras are identified, subsequent taxonomic revisions may designate junior synonyms or abandon the name as a nomen nudum or nomina dubia.

See also: Rubric, Taxonomic nomenclature, Nomen dubium.

References: primary taxonomic literature; specific citations depend on the context.