1. Introduction to Scientific Nomenclature Hendrik Segers Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences Hue University, Vietnam January 2009

2. What nomenclature? A set of mandatory rules and voluntary recommendations that determine the structure and formation of names of organisms, for use in scientific communication.

3. Why nomenclature? “ 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 Need for universal codes!

5. The ICZN

7. 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)

12. Principle of Typification 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 type Hapantotype : (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)

13. How does it work? Syntypes Type localities New Species A Species B

14. How does it work? Holotype + Paratypes Type locality New Species A Species B

15. How does it work? Lectotype + paralectotype Type localities Species A Species B

16. How does it work? Lectotype + paralectotype Type localities Species A Species B

17. Principle of Typification 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 paratype Genotype : 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

25. … and Homonyms 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) ) Principle of Priority: Argus Bohadsch, 1761 is the only valid name

29. Monostyla closterocerca Schmarda, 1853 What’s in a name? With subgenus name: Lecane (Monostyla) closterocerca (Schmarda, 1853) Edmondson, 1935 Short : Lecane (M.) closterocerca (Shmarda, 1853) Or: L. closterocerca new combination: Lecane closterocerca (Schmarda, 1853) Edmondson, 1935 With subspecies name: trinomen Lecane (Monostyla) closterocerca amazonica Koste, 1972 Or: L. closterocerca amazonica

39. Some examples: One-letter difference… Eucosma fandana Eucosma gandana Eucosma handana Eucosma landana Eucosma mandana Eucosm a nandana Eucosma pandana Eucosma sandana Eucosma wandana But also: Cydi a candana Epiblema tandana Epinotia xandana Epinotia zandana Pelochrista randana Pelochrista vandana Tortricidae (Moths, Northern Mexico : ( Kearfo t t, 1907)

45. Inter-Code Generic homonyms Botanical genus names homonyms 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

51. Table 2: Standardized endings for names of taxa 1 : for fungi; ²: for algae Rank : Zoological Botanical Bacteriological phylum/divisio * - phyta/-mycota 1 classis * - opsida/-mycetes 1 / -phyceae² subclassis * - idea/-mycetidae 1 /-phycidae 2 superordo * - anae ordo * - ales - ales subordo * - ineae - ineae superfamily - oidea (not used) (not used) family - ida e - aceae - aceae subfamily - inae - oideae - oideae tribus - ini - eae - eae subtribus - ina - inae - inae

54. Thank you for your attention