linnean systematics the use and construction of species names

Linnean SystematicsLinnean Systematics

The use and construction of species names

The use and construction of species names

Systematic Palaeontology

What is a species?

A group of individuals that interbreed or have potential to interbreed and that do not interbreed with other interbreeding groups

First use of three kingdoms - animal, vegetable and mineral

Linnaeus 1753, Systema Naturae

Taxonomic hierarchy

KingdomPhylum/DivisionClassOrderFamilyGenusSpeciesSubspeciesVariety

Various other sub-groups

Biological-Palaeontological Nomenclature

1. Governed by sets of rules:International Code of Botanical Nomenclaturehttp://www.bgbm.fu-berlin.de/iapt/nomenclature/code/tokyo-e/International Code of Zoological Nomenclaturehttp://www.iczn.orgInternational Code of Bacteriology

2. Names must be written in the same alphabet and the same language – Latin

3. Rules governing correct procedure for definition and description of taxa and priority, etc.

types, diagnosis, description, type level and locality

Codes - Botanical or Zoological rules?

Binomial nomenclature – proper use of genus & species namesCriteria of publication What is a valid publication?

Date of Publication – The oldest name is the valid one.Validity – How to select the valid name, in case of 2 or more

Priority, Homonyms, synonyms

Formation and treatment of namesGender, latinisation, spelling rules

Family group taxaNoun in the plural based on a valid genus

Genus group taxaNoun in the nominative plural

SpeciesNumerous forms, but must agree in gender with the genus

Date(pre- or post 1930 must satisfy different articles ICZN)

Authorship – the first person who described the genusTypes

E.g. type genus, type species, holotype, paratype, neotype, etc.

Systematics

TypificationHolotype: the reference specimen used by the describing authorParatype(s): Additional specimen(s) from the type locality

designated by the describing author.Lectotype: a subsequently chosen type from the original

materialNeotype: a specimen chosen to replace a lost type.

LegitimacyA name that is used in accordance with the appropriate code(a name that is valid under one code is also valid under the rules of another code).

PriorityWhen two or more names apply to the the same taxon, it is the oldest one that should be used - the correct or valid name (the are synonyms)Senior synonym - the older and therefore valid nameJunior synonym - the younger and therefore invalid nameHomonyms: the same name describing different types or species, and therefore illegitimate.


LegitimacyLegitimacy

Are names Legitimate? A name that is legitimate under rules of one code is

also legitimate under rules of a different code Therefore, Rules of Priority apply between codes

Example: the case of Arthrodendron, a Foraminifer (animal) first described as a plant. The plant name is the oldest, and therefore is the valid name.

Are names Legitimate? A name that is legitimate under rules of one code is

also legitimate under rules of a different code Therefore, Rules of Priority apply between codes

Example: the case of Arthrodendron, a Foraminifer (animal) first described as a plant. The plant name is the oldest, and therefore is the valid name.

Citation of names

Latin Grammar:

Rule 1: Genus names behave like latin nouns, species names like adjectives; names are italicised

Rule 2: Species and genus names must agree in gender.Nominative case -us (masc); -a (fem.) -um (neuter)Genitive case -i or -ii (masc, neuter); -ae (fem.)

e.g., Globigerina rubra d’Orbigny, 1839But: Globigerinoides ruber (d’Orbigny, 1839).

Other commonly used species endings include:-ensis; -opsis; -ella; -oides; -iformis


Citation of species names - simple case

Ammodiscus nagyi Genus species Name is written in italics with genus name capitalized.

More formally, the authorship is added

Ammodiscus nagyi Kaminski, 1989date of publication


Citation of names – the use of ():

When names have been re-assigned to other genera:Crepidolithus crassus is formally cited

Crepidolithus crassus (Deflandre in Deflandre & Fert, 1954) Noël, 1965 n.comb.

(ICBN users cite the author that re-assigns the species to a different genus)

ICZN users have no requirement to do so, e.g., Globigerinoides ruber (d’Orbigny).


Citation of names - some more complex rulesCitation of a subgenus

- Globorotalia (Fohsella) fohsi

Citation of a subspecies- Globorotalia (Fohsella) fohsi robusta

Citation of a species groupGaudryina ex gr. dividens

Tentative identification of a speciesGaudryina cf. dividens; Gaudryina aff. G. dividens

An Unidentified Species - Gaudryina sp.

More than one species, identified to the genus level onlyGaudryina spp.


Examples of typesExamples of types

Alcide d’Orbigny, 1826Alcide d’Orbigny, 1826

“Syntypes” - several specimens preserved in a glass vial - several vials in different museums.

“Syntypes” - several specimens preserved in a glass vial - several vials in different museums.

Type specimens - definitionsType specimens - definitions

Syntypes – several specimens chosen to represent a new species (old concept).

Holotype: the reference specimen used by the describing author

Paratype(s): Additional specimen(s) from the type locality designated by the describing author.

Lectotype, Paralectotype: subsequently chosen types from the original material.

Neotype: a specimen chosen to replace a lost type.

Syntypes – several specimens chosen to represent a new species (old concept).

Holotype: the reference specimen used by the describing author

Paratype(s): Additional specimen(s) from the type locality designated by the describing author.

Lectotype, Paralectotype: subsequently chosen types from the original material.

Neotype: a specimen chosen to replace a lost type.

Description of a new speciesDescription of a new species

Name. Synonyms (if any) Derivation of name. Diagnosis in Latin. (requirement for plants only) Description. Dimensions. Holotype / Paratype(s): Give Location and registration numbers Type locality. Type level. Occurrence. (Geographical and in geological time)

Name. Synonyms (if any) Derivation of name. Diagnosis in Latin. (requirement for plants only) Description. Dimensions. Holotype / Paratype(s): Give Location and registration numbers Type locality. Type level. Occurrence. (Geographical and in geological time)

PublicationPublication

New taxonomic names must be Published in a journal or other Scientific publication (Since 2000, may be on the internet).

Deposition of types in a museumDeposition of types in a museum

Catalogue entry – registration numberCatalogue entry – registration number

Top Zoology MuseumsTop Zoology Museums

Smithsonian Institution NHM London NHM Paris NHM Vienna Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt AMNH, New York NHM Berlin, Brussels, Stockholm, Oslo,

Bucharest, Budapest, etc.

Smithsonian Institution NHM London NHM Paris NHM Vienna Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt AMNH, New York NHM Berlin, Brussels, Stockholm, Oslo,

Bucharest, Budapest, etc.

Original descriptionOriginal description

LectotypificationLectotypification

Principle of PriorityPrinciple of Priority

Two different species with the same name:

Trochammina elegans Egger, 1893

Trochammina elegans Grzybowski, 1898

Which name has priority? What to do with the other

species name?

Nomen novum – make a new name!

Two different species with the same name:

Trochammina elegans Egger, 1893

Trochammina elegans Grzybowski, 1898

Which name has priority? What to do with the other

species name?

Nomen novum – make a new name!

Synonymy listsSynonymy lists


Listing a species’ original citation, and first revisor

Or subsequent citation

Listing a species’ original citation, and first revisor

Or subsequent citation


Listing a species formerly identified as a different species

Listing a species formerly identified as a different species


Listing a species tentatively identified Listing a species tentatively identified

What we expect you to understand:


• the use of Linnean binomial nomenclature• the “type concept”• the constriction & citation of taxonomic names• the concept of re-combination• the identification of synonyms • the use of a taxonomical catalogue (e.g., Foraminifera)

You should be able to understand the nomenclatural history of a species from a list of synonyms published in a palaeontological journal.

You should be able to describe existing and new taxa.

You should demonstrate your ability to cite and describe taxa correctly in your reports.

The Zoological Code (IZBN)

EndingsPhylum: -mycotaClass: -opsidaOrder: -idaSuborder -inaFamily: -idaeSubfamily -inaeSpecies: various, but –i after male name, -ae after female name

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, at the NHM (London).


The Botanical Code (ICBN)

EndingsDivision (=Phylum): -phytaClass: -phyceaeOrder: -alesSuperFamily: -aceaeSpecies: various, but –ii after male name

Subgenera rarely employedHolotypes - drawing or photo, not specimenLiving species - diagnosis in Latin


linnean systematics the use and construction of species names

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