THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE

Source

The ICZN is most crucial that scientists working in different parts and countries of the world and speaking different languages must nevertheless be able to share results of their research without confusion as to what organisms are all about and the way of classifying them. ICZN ensures that each species must have a name that is the same throughout the world(universally acceptable).

Rules of Nomenclature

International Code for Zoological Nomenclature developed complex set of rules that was adopted by the International Union of Biological Sciences. Besides the rules for determining which name should be used for a species, there are rules for determining whether a new name has been published in an acceptable manner and whether the name is eligible to be used or not.

 Zoological nomenclature is the system of scientific names applied to taxonomic units of extinct(that are no more living) or extant(organisms that are still in existence) animals.
 Zoological nomenclature is independent of other systems of nomenclature because, if the name of an animal taxon is identical with the name of a taxon that is not animal, it does not make it invalid or rejected.
 The specific name of an organism has two parts, the first part is the name of the genus(generic name) and the second part is the name of species(specific name).
 No names are recognized prior to those included by Linnaeus in his “Systemma Naturae”, 10th edition, 1st January, 1758.
 Genus name should be single name and started with a capital letter(otherwise known as uppercase letter).
 The species name must begin with a small letter(otherwise known as lowercase letter).
 The scientific names are always written in Latin and printed in Italics form. In hand writing, the names are underlined separately.
 The initial of the name of the author of a valid scientific name should be mentioned at the ending of the scientific name. e.g Canis familiaris L. L represents Linnaeus and he is the author of the above mentioned scientific name. The author's name or the initial is not part of scientific name, so its mention is not compulsory.
 Comma is always used in between the author’s name and the year of publishing the scientific name of the animal. For example, Bipars, 1959.
 When a scientific name is changed, then the generic name is changed but the specific name remain constant or same.
 The author’s name is put in parenthesis(otherwise known as bracket) when the species is transferred from one genus to another genus retaining its original author and date. It is called new combination. For example, Hemilea bipars (Walker, 1862) Hardy, 1959.
 When different names are proposed by different authors then according to the “Law of Priority” the first name get validity.
 The numerical of the scientific name are to be written in word as numerical adjective. E.g, decimlineata – correct. 10 – liniata – incorrect.

Recommendations for binominal nomenclature:

1. The name should be in Latin or easily converted into Latinized form.
2. The name should not contain less than three or more than twelve letters.
3. The name should be easy to pronounce.
4. The name given should preferably have some characteristics of the organism to be named.
5. The name should not be derived from two languages.
6. The name should not be of little weight or importance.

The Importance of Binomial Nomenclature

1. It helps in classification.
2. It provides stability, uniqueness, and universality to the scientific names.
3. A newly discovered organism can be described and named based on their common characteristics.
4. The scientific names indicate relationship of a species with other species present in the same genus.
5. They are comprehensive and easier to recollect.
6. The scientific names are often descriptive, indicating some important characteristics of the organism to be named.
7. A wrong name can easily be corrected.

TYPIFICATIONS (ZOOLOGICAL TYPE)

Typification is the designation of a nomenclature type. The Zoological Code recognizes only a few terms as follows:
Type specimen – This is the specimen which was selected by the observer.
Holotype – Is a single specimen selected from the collection of observer.
Paratype – This is other specimen of the observer excluding holotype.
Syntype –This refers to more than one specimen selected by the observer.
Lectotype –Is the single specimen selected by the reviser from the syntype is called lectotype.
Neotype – If the type specimen is lost under certain condition then the revisor can select another specimen and it is called neotype.

Categories of Name Status

Valid Name: This is a name that is accepted as correct for a taxon.
Temporal Name: This is a name that is used for the taxon until a valid name is provided.
Nomen Nudum: This refers to a name that was not properly related to the actual specimens.
Nomen Dubium: This is a name used without sufficient information(or inadequate information) so that later author are unable to determine what taxon was meant.
Synonym: An additional name used for a taxon that has a valid name is said to be Synonym.

STANDARD NAMING CONVENTION FOR THE FAMILY GROUP NAMES.

The first step is to determine the “stem” of the genus.
To name a superfamily, add “Oidea” to the stem of the genus name.
To name a family, add “idaea”.
To name a sub-family, add “inae”
To name a tribe, add “ini”
To name a sub-tribe, add “ina”.

References

About the ICZN
ICZN
ICZN Constitution
International Code of Zoological Classification
International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature