Data from: A logic approach to modeling nomenclatural change

We utilize an Answer Set Programming (ASP) approach to show that the
principles of nomenclature are tractable in computational logic. To this
end we design a hypothetical, 20 nomenclatural taxon use case with
starting conditions that embody several overarching principles of the
International Code of Zoological Nomenclature; including Binomial
Nomenclature, Priority, Coordination, Homonymy, Typification, and the
structural requirement of Gender Agreement. The use case ending conditions
are triggered by the reinterpretation of the diagnostic features of one of
12 type specimens anchoring the corresponding species-level epithets.
Permutations of this child-to-parent reassignment action lead to 36
alternative scenarios, where each scenario requires a set of 1–14
logically contingent nomenclatural emendations. We show that an ASP
transition system approach can correctly infer the Code-mandated changes
for each scenario, and visually output the ending conditions. The results
provide a foundation for further developing logic-based nomenclatural
change optimization and validation services, which could be applied in
global nomenclatural registries. More generally, logic explorations of
nomenclatural and taxonomic change scenarios provide a novel means of
assessing design biases inherent in the principles of nomenclature, and
thus may inform the design of future, big data-compatible identifier
solutions that recognize and mitigate these constraints.