The demise of Coelenterata and Madreporaria

Names of groups of organisms in the higher categories are being changed rather often, even when there is no need for it. This is allowed because the codes of nomenclature do not apply to group names above the family level. Regrettably this may lead to long periods of confusion. Examples are Coelenterata for which the new name Cnidaria was proposed in 1888 and Madreporaria for which the new name Scleractinia was proposed in 1900. The gradual replacement of the old names by the new names in scientific papers during the last 50 years was analyzed. The name Madreporaria virtually disappeared during this period and the name Coelenterata is now being used in only about 10% of scientific papers and had better be abandoned as well.