Derivation of the name Verconia
March 19, 2002
From: Dave Behrens
Bill:
Can you tell me the derivation of Basedow & Hedley's 1905 names Verconia verconis and Tambja verconis? Several author's have given these species common names of Verco's this and that. Aside from my disdain for common names, this does not seem correct to me and I do not have access to Basedow & Hedley's paper.
Thanks,
Dave Behrens
dave@seachallengers.com
Behrens, D., 2002 (Mar 19) Derivation of the name Verconia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6461Dear Dave,
They were both named after Sir Joseph Verco (1851 - 1933) a prominent 'citizen' and amateur naturalist in the early days of Adelaide, South Australia who is still held in high regard there, with various scientific and medical prizes being named after him, and also the State Government's fisheries research vessel.
He practised medicine in South Australia from 1878 and in 1885 helped found the Medical School of the University of Adelaide where he lectured in medicine 1887-1915. He was a very enthusiastic naturalist and shell collector, doing what was probably the first extensive study of sublittoral marine life in the region by dredge. Shells, specimens, books, apparatus and money gifted to the South Australian Museum between 1914-33, eventually helped to form an extensive collection of the South Australian fauna.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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