How To Write Scientific Names Of Plant And Animal Species In Journal Manuscripts
The format for writing scientific names of animals and plants is standardized and internationally accepted. âScientific nomenclatureâ refers to various names according to a specific field of study. This article is the first in a series on scientific nomenclature within specific kingdoms.
Usually, animals & plants are identified by common and scientific names.
Common name: These are used locally and may vary by region or country.
Scientific name: These are unique names used by the scientific community to accurately and universally identify species.
Valid Publication Of The Name Of A Genus Or Subgenus Including A Monotypicgenus
Rule 29
For a generic or subgeneric name to be validly published it must comply withthe following conditions.
Instead of a new description of the genus or subgenus, a citation to apreviously and effectively published description of the genus as a sub-genus may be given.
Example: Not yet found.
In the case of a genus containing a single species, a combined generic andspecific description may be given.
Example: Thiobacillus thioparus Beijerinck 1904.
Recommendation 29
A description of a genus or subgenus should mention the points in which thegenus or subgenus differs from related genera or subgenera. Where possible,the family to which it belongs should be mentioned.
Which Species Concept Is The Best
By far the most well-known species concept is the biological species concept, which was proposed by evolutionary biologist Ernst Mayr. The biological species concept states that a species is a group of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations which are reproductively isolated from other such groups.
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What Is Generic Name In Biology
In biology, particularly taxonomy, the generic name refers to the first part of a binomial name of the species. The binomial name is comprised of the generic name and the specific epithet. … Accordingly, the generic name is the genus of the species and is written by starting with a capitalized letter.
Transfer Of A Species To Another Genus

Rule 41a
When a species is transferred to another genus without any change of rank,the specific epithet must be retained, or if it has not been retained , it must be reestablished, unless:
Rule 41b
When the name of a genus is changed, the specific epithets of the speciesincluded under the original generic name must be retained for the samespecies if they are transferred to the new genus.
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Union Of Genera As Subgenera
Rule 43
When several genera are united as subgenera of one genus, the sub-genus whichincludes the type species of the genus under which union takes place mustbear the same name as that genus.
Example: The subgenus name Lactobacillus Beijerinck 1901must be used instead of Thermobacterium for the subgenusthat contains the type species Lactobacillus delbrueckii.
Citation Of A Name Conserved So As To Exclude The Type
Rule 36
A name conserved so as to exclude the type is not to be ascribed to theoriginal author, but the author whose concept of the name is conserved mustbe cited as authority.
Example: Aeromonas liquefaciens, the original type speciesof the genus Aeromonas, has been excluded fromAeromonas . The generic nameAeromonas is now attributed to Stanier 1943, not toKluyver and van Niel 1936, and with a new type species, A.hydrophila.
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Writing Scientific Names Of Plants
Plant names also follow binomial nomenclature .
- Royal grevillea is found in New South Wales and Victoria.
In the plant kingdom, classification after species is subspecies and variety . For example, there are three subspecies of Grevillea victoriae.
- Grevillea victoriae subsp. victoriae
- Grevillea victoriae subsp. nivalis
- Grevillea victoriae subsp. brindabella
When the species of a plant is unknown, a plant can be referred as Grevillea sp.
Moreover, when we collectively want to refer few or all species, we use Grevillea spp.
Similar to animal names, it is common to see a specific epithet that refers to a geographic area or the person who discovered it. For example, Grevillea victoriae F.Muell. Although these are proper nouns, they are still written in lowercase font. Be mindful that some word processors might attempt to capitalize these references.
This is something to check when proofreading your text.
Cultivar names are dictated by International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants
When writing, the cultivar name is added after genus or specific epithet and is put in single quotes without italicization. For example,
- Grevillea Robyn Gordon
- Grevillea rosmarinifolia Rosy Posy
Meaning And Definition Of Specific Epithet :
The second part of a binomial, it refers to one species within a genus.
For the term specific epithet may also exist other definitions and meanings, the meaning and definition indicated above are indicative not be used for medical and legal or special purposes.
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Citation Of The Name Of A Taxon Whose Circumscription Has Beenemended
Rule 35
If an alteration of the diagnostic characters or of the circumscription of ataxon modifies the nature of the taxon, the author responsible may beindicated by the addition to the author citation of the abbreviation“emend.” followed by the nameof the author responsible for the change.
Example: Rhodopseudomonas Czurda and Maresch 1937 emend, vanNiel 1944 .
Names Of Infrasubspecific Subdivisions
Rule 14a
The designations of the various taxa below the rank of subspecies are notsubject to the Rules and Recommendations of this Code.
Rule 14b
A Latin or latinized infrasubspecific designation may be elevated by asubsequent author to the status of a subspecies or species name providingthat the resulting name is in conformity with the Rules. If so elevated, itranks for purposes of priority from its date of elevation and is attributedto the author by whom it was elevated, provided that the author who elevatesit observes Rule 27.
Example: Leptospira javanica Collier 1948, elevation ofLeptospira sp. serovar javanica ofEssevald and Mochtar 1938 by Collier in 1948.
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Valid And Invalid Publication
Rule 27
A name of a new taxon, or a new combination for an existingtaxon, is not validly published unless the following criteria are met.
Note. Valid publication of the name of a taxon requirespublication in the IJSB of the name of the taxon and reference to aneffectively published description whether in the IJSB or in anotherpublication. The date of publication is that of publication in the IJSB. Thename may be mentioned in a previously published description, but the name isnot validly published until its publication in the IJSB.
If the initial proposal of the new name or new combination is not publishedin the IJSB, publication ofthe name in the IJSB is the responsibility of the author of the name orcombination together with the requirements of Rule 27 and above.
In the case of a name of a new taxon , a type must be designated in the publication. Itis recommended that the type of a species or subspecies be deposited in arecognized culture collection and that thedescription of the taxon conform to minimal standards .
Rule 28a
Rule 28b
A name or epithet is not validly published in the followingcircumstances.
Union Of Species As Subspecies

Rule 45
When several species are united as subspecies under one species, thesubspecies which includes the type strain of the species under whose namethey are united must be designated by the same epithet as the species.
Example: Streptomyces griseus subsp.griseus .
Rule 46
The valid publication of a subspecific name which excludes the type of thespecies automatically creates another subspecies which includes the type andwhose name bears the same specific and subspecific epithets as the name ofthe type.
Example: Publication of Bacillus subtilis subsp.viscosus Chester 1904 automatically created a newsubspecies, Bacillus subtilis subsp.subtilis.
The author of the species name is to be cited as the author of such anautomatically created subspecific name.
Example: Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis Cohn 1872.
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Valid Publication Of The Name Of A Subspecies
Rule 32a
For the name of a subspecies to be validly published, it must conform withthe following conditions.
Recommendation 32a
Recommendations 30a and 30b apply to the name of a subspecies withreplacement of the word “species” by the word “subspecies.”
Dns Records Vs Name Servers
DNS records and name servers work in tandem, but are two different things: DNS stands for domain name system, and DNS records hold the information about which IP addresses match which domains. A name server is a library, and DNS records are the catalog.
The process for updating your DNS records is different for each web host. That said, most leading domain registrars and web hosting providers have resources to guide you through the process. Its usually no more complicated than copying and pasting the name server address into the right field.
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Type Of A Taxon Higher Than Order
Rule 22
The type of a taxon higher than order is one of the contained orders, and ifthere is only one order this becomes the type. If there are two or moreorders the type shall be designated by the author at the time of theproposal of the name.
Example: The order Mycoplasmatales of the classMollicutes.
If not designated, the type of a taxon higher than order may be laterdesignated by an Opinion of the Judicial Commission.
Example: None of the Opinions so far issued has dealt withthis subject.
What Is Binomial Nomenclature
The system of binomial nomenclature was introduced by Carl Linnaeus. Multiple local names make it extremely difficult to identify an organism globally and keep a track of the number of species. Thus, it creates a lot of confusion. To get rid of this confusion, a standard protocol came up. According to it, each and every organism would have one scientific name which would be used by everyone to identify an organism. This process of standardized naming is called as Binomial Nomenclature.
All living species including plants, animals, birds and also some microbes have their own scientific names. For eg.,
- The scientific name of the tiger is presented as Panthera tigris. Panthera represents the genus and Tigris represents a particular species or specific epithet.
- The scientific name of humans is presented as . Homo represents the genus and sapiens represents a particular species.
- The Indian bullfrog is scientifically written as Rana tigrina. Rana is the name of the genus and tigrina is the name of the specific species.
Also Read: Taxonomy
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Polar Bears And Grizzlies
Oftentimes the only barrier to reproduction is geographic, or based on the physical location of the animals. If this changes, the animals can interbreed, and may merge into one species. This is currently being seen in the wild in polar bears and grizzly bears. As the climate changes, polar bears are forced further south, and must start exploiting different food sources. The change in climate also allows grizzly bears to venture further north, encountering polar bears along the way. The previously separated populations now have a chance to breed, and sometimes they are successful. Hybrids have been seen in the wild, but it is not yet known if they hybrids will be successful.
There are many different situations and examples of reproductive barriers, but if the barrier can be removed, it is likely that two related species will be able to interbreed. Non-related species rarely have a possibility of breeding because they have become too different from each other. For instance, a bat and turtle have a completely different genetic makeup. The genes that control growth in the turtle would not function in a bat, and vis-versa. In fact, they dont even have the same number of chromosomes, which is a requirement for sexually reproducing organisms to be successful.
Why Is Biology Important
As a field of science, biology helps us understand the living world and the ways its many species function, evolve, and interact. Advances in medicine, agriculture, biotechnology, and many other areas of biology have brought improvements in the quality of life. Fields such as genetics and evolution give insight into the past and can help shape the future, and research in ecology and conservation inform how we can protect this planets precious biodiversity.
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Why You Should Know Your Sites Name Servers
You dont need to know your websites name servers, but it could be useful in the future. If you register a domain and purchase hosting from the same company, you can safely ignore your name servers without too many issues. If you switch, or if you register apart from your hosting, youll need to have your name servers handy.
How To Handle Scientific Names Of Species

Musca domestica is the name of a species.
1. Species names are binominal .The first word is the generic name. The second word has been called”specific name” or “specific epithet” — butit is not the species name. Both words together are the speciesname.
2. Conventionally, the two words are underlined when handwrittenor typed, to indicate to an editor or printing company that theyshould be italicised when they are printed on a printing press.One reason for putting them into italics is to indicate that theyare not English — they are Latin.
3. Unlike Spanish and many other modern languages, Latin isnot written with diacritical marks . Namesof species have no diacritical marks and may not be hyphenated.
4. In headings, all letters of the species name may be capitalized.In text, when there is a mixture of upper and lower case , the following rules apply:4a. The first letter of the first word is alwayscapitalized.4b. The first letter of the second word is not capitalized forthe name of any animal .
5. No two species of animals may have the same species name.No one species of animal may have more than one valid speciesname. The scientific name of an animal species is intended tobe unique, to be used worldwide by biologists and others, no matterwhat language they speak.
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How Do You Identify A Species
A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. Other ways of defining species include their karyotype, DNA sequence, morphology, behaviour or ecological niche.
Type Of A Taxon From Genus To Order
Rule 21a
The nomenclatural type of a taxon above genus, up to and including order, isthe genus on whose name the name of the relevant taxon is based. One taxonof each category must include the type genus. The names of the taxa whichinclude the type genus must be formed by the addition of the appropriatesuffix to the stem of the name of the type genus .
Example: Order, Rhodospirillales suborder.Rhodospirillineae family,Rhodospirillaceae type genus,Rhodospirillum.
Rule 21b
If the name of a family was not made in conformity with Rule 21a but its namehas been conserved, then the type genus may be fixed by an Opinion of theJudicial Commission.
Example: The genus Escherichia is the type genus of thefamily Enterobacteriaceae .
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Rules Of Binomial Nomenclature
A Biologist from all over the world follows a uniform set of principles for naming the organisms. There are two international codes which are agreed upon by all the biologists over the entire world for the naming protocol. They are:
- International Code of Botanical Nomenclature Deals with the biological nomenclature for plants.
- International Code of Zoological Nomenclature Deals with the biological nomenclature of animals.
These codes make sure that each organism gets a specific name and that name is globally identified.
The naming follows certain conventions. Each scientific name has two parts:
- Specific epithet
The rest of the binomial nomenclature rules for writing the scientific names of organisms include the following:
How To Look Up Your Sites Name Servers
There are several name server lookup tools online. For this example, were using mxtoolbox.com because it allows you to look up name servers and specific DNS records, along with an assortment of other useful website information.
On the website, type in the domain you want to look up and change the tool to the DNS check mode. Run the search, and youll get the domains for each name server and their IP addresses in a few seconds.
You can also run a test locally. On Windows, open PowerShell, type in nslookup, and press Enter. Follow that with set q=ns, press Enter again, then enter the domain you want to check. Hit Enter one last time, and youll see the name servers for the domain you entered.
For Mac and Linux, open the Terminal and enter dig domainname.com. The dig command will provide the name servers along with a slew of other information.
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