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First of all, latin names really
"simplify" taxonomy, this might shock some of you !
But a shell (a vegetal, an animal or a mushroom) is always called
by local populations by various names. This means that a particular
specie may have several local names (vernacular names). We woul
have then to learn all the different names, in many different
languages, to understand each other...
We still use binominal
nomenclature since Linné and it is "universal"
(worldwide should be more true...). The first of these two names
is the generic name wich is written with block (first) letters.
The genus regroups all of the species wich have close anatomical
features. The second name is the species name and must be written
without block letters. The species regroups all the similar specimens
being able to breed. These two names will also be followed by
the author's name and the denomination year (after a comma). Linné
is the only author who has the privilege of having his name abbreviated
to the first letter.
Example
: Cypraea bistrinotata Schilder & Scilder, 1937
To help classify mollususcs,
subgenus were used too to simplify huge genus. (Block letters).
In our example Cypraea bistrinotata Schilder & Scilder,
1937 belong to the Pustularia Swainson, 1840 subgenus.
Example : Cypraea (Pustularia) bistrinotata
Schilder & Scilder, 1937
In the same way we also
use subspecies names. (No block letters).
Examples
:
Cypraea (Pustularia) bistrinotata bistrinotata Schilder
& Scilder, 1937
Cypraea (Pustularia) bistrinotata mediocris
Schilder & Scilder, 1938
In the same way, we also
use formas names (f.). forms are not recognized anymore by the
International Code of Nomenclature though. They are for collectors
a great help anyway !
Example : Cypraea
(Cribrarula) cumingii cumingii f. cleopatra Schilder
& Schilder, 1938
With the revision of
the systematic, many species are displaced from a genus to one
other and in this case the author's name and the denomination
year will be written into brackets.
Example : Triton tritonis
Linné, 1758 became : Charonia tritonis (Linné,
1758)
To sum up we have :
FAMILY > GENUS > SUBGENUS > SPECIES
> SUBSPECIES > FORMS & VARIATIONS
OTHER
NAMES :
Nomina Nuda = n. m.
When there is no known attached description or when there is an
invalid one, then the species has a nude name. These names should
ne avoided of course but are often used in articles...
Species
This latin word should be used when the species name is unknown.
It is recommanded to use this name instead of a wrong one...
Holotype
It is the specimen used by the author to first describe a species.
Paratype(s)
If the author has several specimens, then he can (should) add
some more one called paratypes.
Lectotype
When an holotype is destroyed or lost, a paratype is choosen to
replace the holoype and is called lectotype.
Neotype
When an holotype is destroyed or lost, and if no paratypes where
given by the author, then one typical specimen is chosen and becomes
the neotype
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