When naming a new species, scientists aim to create names that are descriptive, unique, and conform to naming conventions. The most important considerations for a good species name are:
Descriptiveness
The name should describe some distinctive feature of the species. This helps convey key information about its appearance, behavior, habitat, etc. Common approaches include:
- Referencing coloration or markings – e.g. the red wolf (Canis rufus)
- Referencing behavior or traits – e.g. the honey possum (Tarsipes rostratus)
- Referencing habitat – e.g. the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)
Uniqueness
The name needs to be unique to avoid confusion with existing species names. Tips for ensuring uniqueness:
- Check databases like Catalogue of Life to see if the name is already in use
- Add descriptive modifiers to make the name more specific if needed – e.g. Jackson’s chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii)
- Avoid overly simple or general names – e.g. just “grey wolf” is not specific enough
Naming Conventions
There are certain naming rules and conventions to follow:
- Name consists of a genus name and specific epithet – e.g. Homo sapiens
- Genus name is capitalized, epithet is lower case
- Name is Latinized – e.g. ending in -us, -a, -um, etc.
- No punctuation, diacritics, or special characters
Tips for Good Species Names
Some additional tips for creating effective species names:
- Keep it reasonably short and easy to spell/pronounce
- Use common word roots for genus name for familiarity – e.g. Canis (dog)
- Consider how the name will translate into other languages
- Get input from other taxonomists to improve the name
- Avoid using locations/people’s names which can become outdated
Examples of Good Species Names
| Species | Name Origin |
|---|---|
| Mexican beaded lizard | Colorful bead-like scales; found in Mexico |
| Jackson’s chameleon | Named after person who discovered it (with added specificity) |
| Giant panda | Large size; black and white coloring |
| Mimic octopus | Ability to mimic appearance and behavior of other species |
As shown above, good species names effectively communicate something about the species via descriptors, locations, founder names, etc. They adhere to naming conventions while being unique and reasonably simple.
Choosing Appropriate Species Names
When deciding on a species name, taxonomists should:
- Research to ensure it is unique and conforming
- Select descriptors that capture distinctive features
- Get peer feedback from other taxonomists
- Avoid location or founder references if possible
- Check usability of the name in other languages
- Favor simplicity and brevity where practical
- Latinize the name appropriately
- Double check databases again before finalizing
With care and attention to these factors, taxonomists can develop species names that are informative, unique, and conform to conventions – critical for effective scientific communication.
Use of Species Names
Once established, a formal species name plays an important role in science and communication:
- Allows unambiguous reference in scientific papers/discussions
- Enables tracking of species in conservation databases
- Provides foundations for evolutionary trees and taxonomies
- Signals key traits and relationships to scientists in the name itself
- Allows for consistency across languages/cultures
For example, by referring to “Homo sapiens” rather than just “humans”, researchers globally know which exact species is being discussed.
Revising Species Names
Sometimes species names need to be revised. Reasons include:
- Name already used for a different species
- More specimens revealed it was an invalid species
- Merging of two named species into one
- Splitting a species into separate new ones
- Name poorly chosen/uninformative
- Discoverer’s name no longer suitable due to new findings
Name changes should be minimized overall, but are sometimes needed to better reflect new knowledge. The old name can still appear as a synonym in databases.
Conclusion
In summary, effective species naming is an important scientific process. Taxonomists aim for descriptive and unique names that adhere to conventions, convey key information, and maintain consistency across borders and languages. Careful name selection and revision when necessary helps taxonomy stay relevant and informative.
