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The Nomenclature Codes (or "the Codes of nomenclature") are the rulebooks that govern biological nomenclature.
After the successful introduction of two-part names for species by Linnaeus it became ever more apparent that a detailed body of rules was necessary to govern scientific names. From the mid-nineteenth century onwards there were several initiatives to arrive at worldwide-accepted sets of rules. In the course of time these became the present Nomenclature Codes governing the naming of
- animals (ICZN)
- plants (incl. Fungi, cyanobacteria) (ICBN with supplementary Codes)
- bacteria (ICNB)
- viruses see virus classification.
Differences between Codes
Starting point
The starting point, that is the time from which these Codes are in effect (usually retroactively), varies from group to group, and sometimes from rank to rank. In botany the starting point will often be 1753, in zoology 1758. On the other hand bacteriology started anew, making a clean sweep in 1980, although maintaining the original authors and dates of publication.Workings
There are differences in the way Codes work as well. For example, the ICBN (the plant Code) forbids tautonyms, while the ICZN, (the animal Code) allows tautonymy.Terminology
These Codes differ in terminology, and there is a long-term project to "harmonize" this. For instance, the ICBN uses "valid" in "valid publication of a name" (= the act of publishing a formal name), with "establishing a name" as the ICZN equivalent. The ICZN uses "valid" in "valid name" (="correct name"), with "correct name" as the ICBN equivalent. Harmonization is making very limited progress.Other 'codes'
A more radical approach is to replace all existing Codes by a BioCode, basically a synthesis of the existing Codes. The most recent version is of 1997, "draft-BioCode": implementation is not in sight.
There is also debate concerning development of a PhyloCode to name clades of phylogenetic trees, rather than taxa. Proponents of the PhyloCode use the name "Linnaean Codes" for the joint existing Codes and "Linnaean taxonomy" for the scientific classification that uses these existing Codes. The PhyloCode appears to get more publicity than support. Implementation was deferred.
Note the existence of the ICNCP, governing the formal names of cultivated plants. This operates within the limits set by the ICBN, but uses different basic principles.
See also
External links
- ICBN : St. Louis Code (2000)
- ICZN: the 'green book' (1999)
- details on the ICNB of 1992
- draft-BioCode
- PhyloCode
- http://internt.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/perth/lepindex/glossaryDefinition.dsml
"Nomenclature Codes"