The Proposed Dropping of the Genus <i>Crassostrea</i> for All Pacific Cupped Oysters and Its Replacement by a New Genus <i>Magallana:</i> A Dissenting View

The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) currently&#13;\nregisters all Pacific cupped oysters that were formerly members&#13;\nof the genus Crassostrea in a new genus, Magallana. Magallana&#13;\ngigas is designated as an ‘‘accepted name,’’ whereas a search for&#13;\nCrassostrea gigas results in the message ‘‘no matching results&#13;\nfound.’’ This has caused dismay among many biologists,&#13;\naquaculturists, and other stakeholders with an interest in the&#13;\nPacific and other oysters. This note, which is authored by 27&#13;\ninterested scientists, presents a dissenting view and a rebuttal of&#13;\nthe proposed change of genus.