Hendrik Segers 1 & Yves Samyn 2 1 Belgian Platform Biodiversity 2 Belgian Focal Point for the GTI...

Hendrik Segers1 & Yves Samyn2

1Belgian Platform Biodiversity2Belgian Focal Point for the GTI

Royal Belgian Institute of Natural SciencesVautierstraat 29

B-1000 BRUSSELS (Belgium)

Introduction toScientific Nomenclature

Living organisms are grouped:

• Any group of organism = taxon (taxa)

• Taxa are arranged in a series of levels (taxonomic hierarchy)

• Levels of taxonomic hierarchy have different names (taxonomic ranks; e.g. genus, family, order, class, phylum)

• Taxa at the same level belong to the same taxonomic category

• The Codes of Nomenclature are the tools used to name taxa, and to determine which of alternatives is the correct one.

Background observations and definitions

“The objects of the Code are to promote stability and universability in the scientific names of animals and to ensure that the name of each taxon is unique and distinct.

All its provisions and recommendations are subservient to those ends and none restricts the freedom of taxonomic thought or actions”

(ICZN 1999:2)

Fundamental aim of nomenclature: avoid a Tower of Babel

Why nomenclature?

• Taxa have always been named and classified (e.g. Greek and Roman naturalists; medieval herbalists; folk taxonomists: vernacular names)• Pre-Linnaean naturalists:

names in Latin nomina specifica; binominal, trinominal or even polynominal names (e.g. Iris perpusilla saxatilis Norbonensis a caulis ferme) names inconsistent and often paragraphs long (diagnosis, description, identification purposes)

• Linnaeus’ 18th century taxonomic system [cf. Species plantarum (1753) and Systema naturae (1758)]

nomina trivialia; always binominal in structure diagnostic style

• Need for universal codes became prominent

History of scientific nomenclature

Nomenclature codes

• Greuter, W., et al. (eds), 2000. International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (St Louis Code). Regnum Vegetabile 138. Koeltz Scientific Books, Königstein.ISBN 3-904144-22-7

• Trehane, P., et al. (eds). 1995. International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants. Adapted by the International Committee for the Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants of the I.U.B.S. Regn. Veget. 133.

• Sneath, P.H.A., et al. (eds), 1992. International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria. Washington (+ : Skerman, V.D.B. et al., 1980. Approved Lists of Bacterial Names).

• International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, 1999. International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, 4th edition. Adopted by the I.U.B.S. The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, London.

1758 Formal starting point = 10th Edition of Linnaeus’s Systema Naturae (also Clerck’s Aranei Svecici)1842 Strickland Code (botany and zoology)1889 First ICZ meeting (Paris); tentative adoption of a set of rules1901 Fifth ICZ meeting (Berlin); “Rules of Zoological Nomenclature”;

published as Règles Internationales de la Nomenclature Zoologique (French, English & German)

1961 First edition of the Code of Zoological Nomenclature1964 Second edition 1985 Third edition (glossary added; no more discrimination between French and

English)1988 Launch of fourth edition project1995 Draft of fourth edition released by Secretariat

Distribution of hard copiesDiscussion forum on internetNew concepts and provisions published in Bull. Zool. Nomenclature

1999 Fourth edition (current edition)Takes effect from 1 January 2000Cladists already perceive it as too prescriptive (taxa and their names forced in arbitrary ranks of Linnean hierarchy) and too permissive (applies also to non-monophyletic groups)

History of zoological nomenclature

Correct application of nomenclatural codes(e.g., correction of errors; homonyms;…)

Increased scientific understanding (e.g., discoveries; changes in species concept (s.l.) and phylogenetic understanding)

Why do names change?

Correct application of nomenclatural codes(e.g., correction of errors; homonyms;…)

Increased scientific understanding (e.g., discoveries; changes in species concept (s.l.) and phylogenetic understanding)

All changes are governed by legalistic, scientifically neutral conventions: the codes of nomenclature

E.g.: the ICZN (1999; http://www.iczn.org/iczn/index.jsp) consists of:

Preamble90 Articles, grouped in 18 chapters

One or more mandatory provisionsNon-mandatory recommendationsExamples

Glossary

Why do names change?

Ruling principles

• Nomenclature = naming tool

Nomenclature only follows taxonomy

Ruling principles

• Nomenclature = naming tool

• Typification

The taxonomic identity of a name is determined by that of its type

Art. 61.1. Each nominal taxon in the family, genus or species groups has actually or potentially a name-bearing type. The fixation of the name bearing type of a nominal taxon provides the objective standard of reference for the application of the name it bears.

61.1.1. The valid name from a taxon is determined only from the name-bearing type(s)61.1.2. Objectivity through typification is continuous through the hierarchy of names, from species to family group61.1.3. Name-bearing types (generally) are stable and provide objective continuity in the application of names

(ICZN)

=> Identity of a name relies only on its type, not on its description or diagnosis

Principle of Typification

Ruling principles

• Nomenclature = naming tool• Typification

• Principle of Synonymy

1 taxon should only have 1 name

Ruling principles

• Nomenclature = naming tool• Typification• Principle of Synonymy

• Principle of Homonymy

1 name can apply to only 1 taxon

(but see independance of codes)

Ruling principles

• Nomenclature = naming tool• Typification• Principle of Synonymy• Principle of Homonymy

• Principle of Priority

“the oldest fool is always right”

Principle of bionominal nomenclature

• Names of taxa above species: uninominal: e.g., Hominidae, Homo

• Names of species: binominal: e.g., Homo sapiens

Monostyla closterocerca Schmarda, 1853

What’s in a name?

Species name: binomen

Lecane (Monostyla) closterocerca (Schmarda, 1853) Edmondson, 1935

With subgenus name: binomen

L. closterocerca

Short:

Lecane (M.) closterocerca (Shmarda, 1853)

Or (zoology!):

Lecane (Monostyla) closterocerca amazonica

Koste, 1972 non Murray, 1913

With subspecies name: trinomen

L. closterocerca amazonica Koste, 1972

Short:

Or (zoology!):

L. closterocerca amazonica

In botanic nomenclature:

• Phragmites autralis (Cavanilles) Trinius ex Streudel:

Streudel published Trinius’ suggestion

Scientific Names are Latin

Rules of Latin grammar apply

Agreement in gender

Scientific Names are Latin

Rules of Latin grammar apply

Agreement in gender

• Mastigocerca capucina Wierzejski & Zacharias, 1893• Rattulus capucinus : Jennings, 1903• Trichocerca capucina (Wierzejski & Zacharias, 1893)

Harring, 1913

Formation of Scientific Names

• Formation of species names:- After features: adjectivese.g.:

- Lepadella minuta - Scaridium grande- S. longicaudum- Brachionus bidentatus- Keratella taurocephala


• Formation of species names:- After features: adjectives

- After other species: noun in apposition, adjective

e.g., Trichocerca tigris, T. rattus, T. cavia, T. mus, T. musculus, T. porcellus, T. orca.

also: Seison nebaliae.


• Formation of species names:- After features: adjectives- After other species: noun in apposition, adjective

- After people: noun in genitive caseone man: Lecane shieli or L. ludwigii

one woman: Lecane robertsonae

several man/woman: L. gallagherorum

several woman: stem + arum


• Formation of species names:- After features: adjectives- After other species: noun in apposition, adjective- After people: noun in genitive case

- After places: adjectival toponym e.g., Lecane papuanaBrachionus budapestinensis


• Formation of species names:no diacritic or other marks, ligature,

apostrophes, etc…:- Trichocerca dixon-nutalli becomes T. dixonnutalli;- Dicranophorus lütkeni becomes D. luetkeni;- Filinia novaezaelandiae; - (ñ becomes n, ø becomes o, …)But- Zygiella x-notata

http://www.xs4all.nl/~ednieuw/Spiders/Araneidae/Zygiella_x-notata_D0231.jpg


• Type: sole bearer on identity of a name

Description, diagnosis,… are required,

but irrelevant

(for nomenclatural purposes)

Types of name-bearing types (in the species group)

Original designation(Fixed in the original publication)

Subsequent designation(Not fixed in the original publication)

Holotype: the single specimen upon which a new species-group taxon is based in the original publication (see also isotype)Paratypes: remaining specimens of the original type series (see also allotype)

Syntypes: specimens of a type series that collectively constitute the name-bearing typeHapantotype: (special case)

Lectotype: a syntype designated as the single-name bearing type specimen

Paralectotypes: each specimen of the former syntype series remaining after lectotype designation (see also isolectotype)

Neotype: the single specimen designated as the name-bearing type when no name-bearing type specimen is believed to exist (anymore)


Terms not regulated by the Codes

Allotype: a designated specimen of opposite sex of the holotype

Cotype: a term formerly used for either syntype or paratypeGenotype: a term formerly used to designate the type species of a genus (generotype)Topotype: a specimen originating from the type locality or localities of the species or subspecies to which it is thought to belong, whether or not the specimen is part of the type series (see also topotypical specimen)

Some peculiar cases: Cleptotype, Iconotype, …

Type of a family name = genus Type of a genus = species


How does it work?

• Genus Pinus Linnaeus, 1753 (pine trees) • Taxonomy: five distinct genera

Genus 1 : P. cedrus

Genus 2 : P. larix

Genus 3 : P. picea, P. balsamea

Genus 4 : P. abies

Genus 5 : P. sylvestris, P. pinea, P. cembra, P. strobus, P. taeda.

Q: Can the real Pinus please stand up?

How does it work?

• Taxonomy: five distinct genera Genus 1 : P. cedrus

Genus 2 : P. larixGenus 3 : P. picea, P. balsameaGenus 4 : P. abiesGenus 5 : P. sylvestris, P. pinea, P. cembra, P.

strobus, P. taeda.

1. Type of Pinus : P. sylvestris. Hence, = (5)2. Others: new names (Cedrus, Larix, Abies and

Picea, respectively).

Synonyms and Homonyms

• Synonyms: 2 or more names = 1 taxon– Nomenclatural (= objective, homotypic) synonyms

(e.g., replacement names: nomina nova, …)


• Synonyms: 2 or more names = 1 taxon– Nomenclatural (= objective, homotypic) synonyms– Taxonomic (= subjective, heterotypic) synonyms

(most common)


• Synonyms: 2 or more names = 1 taxon– Nomenclatural (= objective, homotypic) synonyms– Taxonomic (= subjective, heterotypic) synonyms

• Lecane ludwigii (Eckstein, 1883) or• Lecane stokesi (Pell, 1890) or• Lecane ohioensis (Herrick, 1885) ?


• Synonyms: 2 or more names = 1 taxon• Homonyms: 1 name = 2 or more taxa

e.g.,

Argus Bohadsch, 1761(gastropod); Argus Scopoli, 1763 (butterfly); Argus Scopoli, 1777 (butterfly); Argus Poli, 1791 (mollusk); Argus Temminck, 1807 (bird);

Argus Lamarck, 1817 (hesperid); Argus Boisduval, 1832 (lycaenid); Argus Walckenaer, 1836 (arachnid); Argus Gray, 1847(mollusk); Argus Gerhard, 1850 (lycaenid))



• Lecane ornata (Harring & Myers, 1926) • Lecane ornata (Daday, 1897)

(syn. of L. ludwigii (Eckstein, 1883))




(syn. of L. ludwigii (Eckstein, 1883))

Problem: name for L. ornata (Harring & Myers, 1926) non (Daday, 1897)?

Synonyms and Homonyms• Synonyms: 2 or more names = 1 taxon• Homonyms: 1 name = 2 or more taxa

Who’s right?

Principle of Priority: • “the oldest fool is always right”


• Synonyms: 2 or more names = 1 taxon

• Lecane ludwigii (Eckstein, 1883)• Lecane stokesi (Pell, 1890)• Lecane ohioensis (Herrick, 1885)

« Oldest fool »:Lecane ludwigii (Eckstein, 1883)


Homonyms: 1 name = 2 or more taxa


(syn. van L. ludwigii (Eckstein, 1883)

Problem: name for L. ornata (Harring & Myers, 1926) non (Daday, 1897)?

No “Oldest fool” available!

Nomen novum required:

Solution: L. myersi Segers, 1993

Synonyms and Homonyms• Synonyms: 2 or more names = 1 taxon• Homonyms: 1 name = 2 or more taxa

Who’s right?

Principle of Priority: • “the oldest fool is always right”But This Can Cause ProblemsThe commission can intervene!

(nomina rejicienda, conservanda)

Formal requirements in ICZN (1)

• Name or nomenclatural act must be Published;


• Name or nomenclatural act must be Published;• Scientific names must be spelled using the 26

letters of the Latin Alfabet;


• Name or nomenclatural act must be Published;• Scientific names must be spelled using the 26 letters

of the Latin Alfabet;• Consistent application of binominal

nomenclature in the work in which the new name or nomenclatural act is published;


• Name or nomenclatural act must be Published;• Scientific names must be spelled using the 26 letters

of the Latin Alfabet;• Consistent application of binominal nomenclature in

the work in which the new name or nomenclatural act is published;

• Derivation: a name may be derived from any language, or even an arbitrary combination of letters if this is formed to be used as a word (not cbafdg);

=> lots of freedom allowed!

Some examples….One-letter difference:

Genus Eucosma (Moths, Northern Mexico: Kearfoot, 1907)

E. fandana E. gandana E. handana E. kandana E. mandana E. nandana E. pandana E. randana

E. sandanaE. tandana E. vandana E. wandana E. xandana E. yandana E. zandana

Fun with Latin: • Stupidogobius Aurich, 1938 (stupid fish)

Localities:• Panama canalia Marsh, 1993(braconid) • Australia Girault, 1928 (parasitic wasp); • Babylonia Schlulter, 1838 (mollusk);

Mythology: • Zeus Linnaeus, 1758 (fish), Kali Lloyd, 1909 (fish)• Satan Hubbs & Bailey, 1947 (fish),…

More examples….

Persons (“honorifics”):• Cartwrightia cartwrighti Cartwright, 1967 (scarab)• Hoia hoi (parasitic copepod), after Ju-Shey Ho• Leonardo davincii Bleszynski, 1965 (pyralid butterfly)

But also: • Dyaria Neumoegen, 1893 (liparid butterfly) after Mr.

Dyar.

Not another one…• Cyclocephala nodanotherwon Ratcliffe (scarabid) • Trombicula doremi Brennan & Beck, 1955;

Trombicula fasola Brennan & Beck, 1955 (mites)

Even more examples….

http://livingthings.narod.ru/Clt/Ani/Art/Ara/Aca/aca003.jpg


• Names to be used as valid when proposed

(no conditional proposal)


• Names to be used as valid when proposed • Publication of a name as a synonym does not

thereby make the name available;


• Names to be used as valid when proposed • Publication of a name as a synonym does not

thereby make the name available;• New requirements for species-group names

published after 1999:– Explicit indication of name as intentionally new

(n.sp., gen. nov., nom. nov.,…) – Fixation of name-bearing types explicit

designation & deposition

The different codes: a comparison


1) The codes have different starting dates and works

• Botanical : Species Plantarum : Linnaeus, 1753.• Zoological : Systema Naturae : Linnaeus, 1758; Araneae

swecici Clerck, 1757,…• Bacteriologial : January 1, 1980 (older names only when

included in list of approved names)

1) The codes have different starting dates and works

2) The codes are independent

=> inter-code homonyms are possible, allowed, and common


Table 1. Inter-Code Generic homonyms Botanical

genus nameshomonyms in Zool. record

Total 64,419 8,784 (13.6%)

in common use

28,041 3,554 (12.7%)

Bacteriological genus names

Homonyms in Zool. Record

Homonyms in ING (Botanical)

Homonyms in both

Total 739 50 (6.8%) 29 (3.9%) 15

in common use

701 48 (6.9%) 27 (3.9%) 14

• Poria cocos: Coleoptera and Fungus;• Pieris japonica: butterfly and plant;• Culcita novaeguineae: seastar, and Culcita novae-

guineae: fern

Examples of genus + species homonoms:

• Principle of co-ordination:

in zoological nomenclature, not in botanical;


• Principle of co-ordination:

Names established at any rank within the F/G/S groups are deemed established at

any rank within the group

– Family-group: Super-,Family, sub-, Tribus, sub-– Genus-group: Genus, sub-– Species-group: Species, sub-


• Principle of co-ordination • Tautonyms (Bison bison,...)

allowed in zoology;


• Principle of co-ordination • Tautonyms• Latin diagnosis

required in botanical nomenclature


• Principle of co-ordination • Tautonyms • Latin diagnosis • Application & different standardised

endings


Table 2: Standardized endings for names of taxa

Rank :

Zoological Botanical Bacteriological

phylum/divisio * - phyta/-mycota1

classis * - opsida/-mycetes1/ -phyceae²

subclassis * - idea/-mycetidae1/-phycidae2

superordo * - anae

ordo * - ales - ales

subordo * - ineae - ineae

superfamily - oidea (not used) (not used)

family - idea - aceae - aceae

subfamily - inae - oideae - oideae

tribus - ini - eae - eae

subtribus - ina - inae - inae

1: for fungi; ²: for algae

Interesting websites

• International Code of Botanical Nomenclature : http://www.bgbm.fu-berlin.de/iapt/nomenclature/code/SaintLouis/0000St.Luistitle.htm

• International Commission and Code on Zoological Nomenclature : http://www.iczn.org

• Index Nominum Genericorum (names of genera of plants, fungi and algae : http://rathbun.si.edu/botany/ing/

• List with suprageneric names : http://www.inform.imd.edu/PBIO/fam/inspvindex.html

• Directory of International Registration Authorities (esp. for cultivars) : http://www.ishs.org/icra/index.htm

http://www.bgbm.fu-berlin.de/iapt/nomenclature/code/SaintLouis/0000St.Luistitle.htm

http://www.bgbm.fu-berlin.de/iapt/nomenclature/code/SaintLouis/0000St.Luistitle.htm

http://www.iczn.org/

http://rathbun.si.edu/botany/ing/

http://www.inform.imd.edu/PBIO/fam/inspvindex.html

http://www.ishs.org/icra/index.htm

Games with letters/statistics:• Aa Baker, 1940 (mollusk)• Aaadonta Solem, 1976 (endodontoid slug) • Cavaticovelia aaa Gagne, 1975 (Hawaiian bug) • Aragara Walker, 1860 (fly; longest palindrome)• Ia io Thomas, 1902 (bat; shortest binomen) • Gammaracanthuskytodermogammarus

loricatobaicalensis Dybowski, 1926 (amphipod; the longest binomen)

• Zyzzyxdonta Solem, 1976 (endodontoid slug, with opposite features of Aaadonta)

• Zyzzyzus Stechow, 1921 (Coelenterata)

Did I mention these ones?

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Hendrik Segers 1 & Yves Samyn 2 1 Belgian Platform Biodiversity 2 Belgian Focal Point for the GTI...

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