Botanical Author Citation: Rules and Standards for Plant Nomenclature
In the world of biological sciences, precision is paramount. When botanists refer to a plant species, they do more than just list its scientific name; they often include an author citation. This is the formal method of citing the person or group who validly published the botanical name according to the rules of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN).
Author citations serve as a critical shorthand in taxonomy and ecological surveys. Rather than providing a full bibliographic reference every time a plant is mentioned, the author's name provides a pointer to the original publication. This practice is essential for resolving ambiguities, such as homonyms (where the same name is used for different taxa), and for locating descriptions in obscure journals or manuscripts.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบKey Facts
- ICN Compliance: Author citations must follow the formal requirements of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants.
- Parentheses Meaning: When an author's name is in parentheses, it indicates the species was originally described in a different genus.
- Standard Abbreviations: Botanists typically use standardized abbreviations (e.g., "L." for Linnaeus) to maintain consistency.
- Botanical vs. Zoological: Unlike zoology, botany does not typically include the publication year in the author citation and recognizes authorship changes when a taxon's rank is altered.
Foundations of Botanical Citation
Basic Citation Formats
The simplest form of citation occurs when a name is used in its original rank and original genus. In this case, only the original author is listed without parentheses. If two authors published the name jointly, they are linked by the Latin term et or an ampersand (&).
New Combinations and Rank Changes
When a species is moved to a different genus or its taxonomic rank is changed (e.g., from a subspecies to a species), the citation reflects this history. The original author is placed in parentheses, followed by the revising author.
For example, in Helianthemum coridifolium (Vill.) Cout., Dominique Villars originally published the species in a different genus (Cistus coridifolius), and António Xavier Pereira Coutinho later moved it to the genus Helianthemum.
Advanced Nomenclature Terms
The Use of "ex"
The term ex is used when an initial description did not meet the requirements for valid publication, but a later author published it validly. In botany, the earlier (invalid) author is listed first, followed by "ex" and the validly publishing author (e.g., Andropogon aromaticus Sieber ex Schult.).
The Use of "in"
The term in indicates that the author of the name is different from the author of the work in which it was published. According to Article 46.2 of the ICN, the "in" portion is considered a bibliographic citation and should ideally include the place of publication to be used correctly.
Emending Authors
When the diagnostic characters or the circumscription of a taxon are altered, the original authorship remains, but the abbreviation emend. (from emendavit) is appended to show that the taxonomic concept has been revised.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบSummary of Citation Components
| Element | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Parentheses ( ) | Original author; taxon moved to new genus/rank | (Vill.) Cout. |
| ex | Name proposed by one, validly published by another | Sieber ex Schult. |
| in | Name published within another author's work | Wahlenb. in Acharius |
| emend. | Taxonomic concept has been emended/revised | L. emend. Müll. Arg |
| & / et | Joint authorship | Cham. & Schldl. |
Supplementary Nomenclatural Indications
Beyond author names, several Latin abbreviations are used to describe the status of a name:
- nom. nud. (nomen nudum): A name published without an acceptable description.
- non: Used to distinguish a name from a homonym (e.g., Lindera Thunb., non Adans.).
- nom. rej. (nomen rejectum): A rejected name.
- auct. non: A name that has been misapplied by subsequent authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are some botanical authors' names in parentheses?
Parentheses indicate that the species was originally described under a different genus or at a different taxonomic rank. The author inside the parentheses is the original describer, and the author outside is the one who moved it to its current placement.
What is the difference between "ex" and "in" in citations?
"Ex" is used when the first author's publication was invalid and the second author provided the valid publication. "In" simply means the name was published within a larger work authored by someone else.
How do botanical citations differ from zoological citations?
Botanical citations generally omit the publication year and recognize authorship changes when a taxon's rank is modified. In zoology, the year is typically included, and authorship changes for rank shifts are not recognized.
Where can I find the standard abbreviations for plant authors?
Standard abbreviations are recommended by Brummitt & Powell's Authors of Plant Names (1992) and can be accessed through the International Plant Names Index (IPNI).
What does "nom. nud." mean in a citation?
Nomen nudum (meaning "naked name") refers to a taxon name that was published but lacked a proper description or diagnosis, making it invalid under the ICN rules.