Specific Names in Zoological Nomenclature
In the world of biology, every animal is given a unique scientific identity to ensure clarity across different languages and regions. This system is known as binomial nomenclature, where a species is identified by a two-part name called a binomen. The first part is the generic name (the genus), and the second part is the specific name (also referred to as the specific epithet or species epithet).
For example, in the scientific name for humans, Homo sapiens, Homo serves as the generic name, while sapiens is the specific name. The rules for establishing these names are detailed in the process of species description.
Key Facts
- A binomen consists of a generic name followed by a specific name.
- Scientific names are treated grammatically as Latin phrases, regardless of their original language.
- The specific name can be a noun in apposition, a noun in the genitive case, or an adjective.
- Historically, Carl Linnaeus distinguished between generic, trivial, and specific names.
- Zoological and botanical nomenclature differ in how they define the term "name."
The Etymology and Evolution of Naming
The way scientists use these terms has evolved over centuries. Carl Linnaeus, who formalized the binomial system, originally used a more complex set of distinctions. In his system, the generic name referred to the genus, and the trivial name was the second part of the binomial. The term specific name was actually used to describe the combination of both the generic and trivial names.
To illustrate this using the tiger (Panthera tigris):
- Generic name: Panthera
- Trivial name: tigris
- Specific name: Panthera tigris
This distinction remained the standard from the 18th century until the late 20th century. However, usage became inconsistent over time, and errors even appeared within the International Code of Zoölogical Nomenclature as authors blurred the lines between trivial and specific names.
The Grammar of Species Names
Because scientific names are treated as Latin phrases, they must follow specific grammatical conventions. This is why they are often colloquially called "Latin names." There are three primary ways a specific name is formed:
1. Nouns in Apposition
A specific name can be a noun placed in apposition to the genus name, such as Panthera leo (the lion). In these instances, the genus and species names do not need to agree in gender. These names are often derived from the organism's vernacular name in Latin or Ancient Greek, or they may reference another organism that the species resembles.
2. Nouns in the Genitive Case
The genitive case indicates possession or origin ("belonging to"). This is frequently seen in parasites, such as Xenos vesparum, meaning "Stranger of the wasps." Proper nouns referring to people or places also use this case. For example, Latimeria chalumnae (the coelacanth) refers to the Chalumna River area in the Indian Ocean, which is the species' type locality (the place where the first specimen was found).
3. Adjectives
When a specific name is an adjective, it must agree in both gender and case with the genus name. An example of this is Felis silvestris, which translates to "the forest cat."
Zoological vs. Botanical Nomenclature
While both systems use binomials, they differ in their terminology. In botanical nomenclature, the word "name" always refers to the complete name of the species. In zoological nomenclature, "name" can refer to either the genus or the specific part.
For instance, with the common ivy (Hedera helix), a botanist would call the entire string the name of the species. A zoologist might refer to Hedera as the name of the genus and helix as the specific epithet, rather than the specific name.
| Term | Zoological Definition | Botanical Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Generic Name | The first part of the binomen (Genus) | The first part of the binomen (Genus) |
| Specific Name/Epithet | The second part of the binomen | The second part (called the specific epithet) |
| "The Name" | Can refer to either the genus or the species part | Always refers to the full species name |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a binomen?
A binomen is the two-part scientific name of a species, consisting of the generic name (genus) and the specific name (epithet).
How does a specific name differ from a generic name?
The generic name identifies the broader group (genus) to which the organism belongs, while the specific name identifies the unique species within that genus.
Why are scientific names written in Latin?
Regardless of the original language of the words used, scientific names are treated as Latin phrases to provide a universal, standardized language for scientists worldwide.
What is a type locality?
A type locality is the specific geographical location where the specimen used to first describe and name a species was discovered.
What is the difference between a trivial name and a specific name in Linnaean terms?
In Carl Linnaeus's original system, the trivial name was only the second part of the binomial, whereas the specific name referred to the combination of both the generic and trivial names.