What is "cryptochloris"

Cryptochloris is a genus of golden moles, containing the two species De Winton's Golden Mole (Cryptochloris wintoni) and Van Zyl's Golden Mole (Cryptochloris zyli).

The genus name Cryptochloris (from the Greek crypto- and chloris) has been used to denote more than one genus:

• Cryptochloris Shortridge & Carter 1938, a genus of golden moles
• Cryptochloris Bentham 1882, a grass genus, treated as a synonym of Tetrapogon
• Cryptochloris (cryptomonad) J. Schiller 1925, a genus of cryptomonads

Since they are governed by different nomenclature codes, there is no conflict between the genus of golden moles and the grass genus. Cryptomonads may be considered part of either code, but Cryptochloris J. Schiller 1925 is invalid under the rules of botanical nomenclature as a later homonym of Cryptochloris Bentham 1882, and under zoological nomenglature, Cryptochloris Shortridge & Carter 1938 would be likely to be conserved for taxonomic stability.