Basionym

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In the scientific name of organisms, basionym or basyonym [1] [2] means the original name on which a new name is based; the author citation of the new name should include the authors of the basionym in parentheses. The term "basionym" is used in both botany and zoology. [3] In zoology, alternate terms such as original combination [4] or protonym [5] are sometimes used instead. Bacteriology uses a similar term, basonym, spelled without an i. [6]

Contents

Although "basionym" and "protonym" are often used interchangeably, they have slightly different technical definitions. A basionym is the correct spelling of the original name (according to the applicable nomenclature rules), while a protonym is the original spelling of the original name. [5] These are typically the same, but in rare cases may differ.

When creating new taxonomic names, there are specific rules about how basionyms can be used. A new combination or name at new rank must be based directly on the original basionym rather than on any intermediate combinations. This means that if a species is transferred between multiple genera over time, each new combination must refer back to the original name rather than to more recent combinations. This helps maintain a clear chain of nomenclature and prevents confusion about the ultimate source of the name. For example, when transferring a species that has already been moved to a different genus, taxonomists must cite the original species name as the basionym, not the intermediate combination. [7]

Use in botany

The term "basionym" is used in botany only for the circumstances where a previous name exists with a useful description, and the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICNafp) does not require a full description with the new name. [8] A basionym must therefore be legitimate. Basionyms are regulated by the code's articles 6.10, 7.3, 41, and others. [9]

When a current name has a basionym, the author or authors of the basionym are included in parentheses at the start of the author citation. If a basionym is later found to be illegitimate, it becomes a replaced synonym and the current name's author citation must be changed so that the basionym authors do not appear.

Historical rules for basionyms have evolved over time. Prior to 1 January 1953, the requirements for referencing basionyms were less stringent: an indirect reference to a basionym or replaced synonym was sufficient for valid publication of a new combination, name at new rank, or replacement name. After this date, more explicit references became required. [7]

Replaced synonyms

In some cases, taxonomists may need to publish a replacement name even when working with a legitimate existing name. This situation arises when it is not possible to publish a legitimate new combination or name at new rank, such as when the new name would create an illegitimate homonym (duplicate name) or when the name cannot be validly published under the nomenclatural rules (for example, in the case of tautonyms). [7]

Types and original material

When working with basionyms and new combinations, there are specific rules regarding type specimens. Because a new combination is typified by the type of its basionym, all original material must also come from the basionym. This means that taxonomists cannot designate a lectotype (a type specimen selected after the original description) from specimens that were only cited or used in the later new combination but were not part of the original material of the basionym. Such specimens could only be designated as neotypes if no original material exists. [7]

Combinatio nova

The basionym of the name Picea abies (the Norway spruce) is Pinus abies. The species was originally named Pinus abies by Carl Linnaeus and so the author citation of the basionym is simply "L." Later on, botanist Gustav Karl Wilhelm Hermann Karsten decided this species should not be grouped in the same genus (Pinus) as the pines, so he transferred it to the genus Picea (the spruces). The new name Picea abies is combinatio nova , a new combination (abbreviated comb. nov.). With author citation, the current name is "Picea abies (L.) Karst."

Status novus

In 1964, the subfamily name Pomoideae, which had been in use for the group within family Rosaceae that have pome fruit like apples, was no longer acceptable under the code of nomenclature because it is not based on a genus name. Claude Weber did not consider the family name Malaceae Small to be taxonomically appropriate, so he created the name Maloideae at the rank of subfamily, referring to the original description of the family, and using the same type. [10] This change of rank from family to subfamily is an example of status novus (abbreviated stat. nov.), also called a "name at new rank".

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tribe (biology)</span> Taxonomic rank between family and genus

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type species</span> Term used in biological nomenclature

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type (biology)</span> Specimen(s) to which a scientific name is formally attached

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type genus</span> Term in biological taxonomy

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syntype</span> Taxonomic term

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Nomenclature codes or codes of nomenclature are the various rulebooks that govern the naming of living organisms. Standardizing the scientific names of biological organisms allows researchers to discuss findings.

In botany, the correct name according to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) is the one and only botanical name that is to be used for a particular taxon, when that taxon has a particular circumscription, position and rank. Determining whether a name is correct is a complex procedure. The name must be validly published, a process which is defined in no less than 16 Articles of the ICN. It must also be "legitimate", which imposes some further requirements. If there are two or more legitimate names for the same taxon, then the correct name is the one which has priority, i.e. it was published earliest, although names may be conserved if they have been very widely used. Validly published names other than the correct name are called synonyms. Since taxonomists may disagree as to the circumscription, position or rank of a taxon, there can be more than one correct name for a particular plant. These may also be called synonyms.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conserved name</span> Conserved name (a protected scientific name)

A conserved name or nomen conservandum is a scientific name that has specific nomenclatural protection. That is, the name is retained, even though it violates one or more rules which would otherwise prevent it from being legitimate. Nomen conservandum is a Latin term, meaning "a name to be conserved". The terms are often used interchangeably, such as by the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (ICN), while the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature favours the term "conserved name".

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taxonomic rank</span> Level in a taxonomic hierarchy

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossary of scientific naming</span>

This is a list of terms and symbols used in scientific names for organisms, and in describing the names. For proper parts of the names themselves, see List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names. Note that many of the abbreviations are used with or without a stop.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superseded combination</span> Previous formal name of a species

In taxonomy, a superseded combination is a notice of change to the binomial nomenclature of the accepted name of a species. This happens when a species is moved to a new genus after the initial species description. The original name is called a superseded combination, and the new name is called the new combination, or comb. nov..

References

  1. ↑ WoRMS Notadusta punctata (Linnaeus, 1771)
  2. ↑ Heiden, G. (2013). "Two new combinations in Baccharis (Asteraceae: Astereae)" (PDF). Phytoneuron. 2013: Article 78.
  3. ↑ Pyle, Richard Lawrence (2004). "Taxonomer: a relational data model for managing information relevant to taxonomic research". PhyloInformatics. 1: 1–54. Although the word 'Basionym' is more frequently used in botanical contexts than in zoological contexts, the basic concept applies equally to both (and is becoming more commonly used in zoological contexts).
  4. ↑ "Loterre: Zoonom: protonym (sensu Pyle)". skosmos.loterre.fr. A scientific name in its original combination, authorship and date (or more directly, the Reference association). (Pyle 2003) ; Not to be confused with "protonym" sensu Dubois.
  5. 1 2 Aescht, Erna (2008). "Annotated catalogue of 'type material' of ciliates (Ciliophora) and some further protists at the Upper Austrian Museum in Linz, including a guideline for 'typification' of species". Denisia. 23: 129. Basionym – a previously published legitimate name-bringing or epithet-bringing synonym from which a new name is formed for a taxon of different rank or position (term used in botanical nomenclature; ICBN 2006); correct spelling of the protonym (DUBOIS 2000). [...] Protonym – original morphonym of a hoplonym (DUBOIS 2000, 2005a).
  6. ↑ Tindall, B. J. (1999). "Misunderstanding the Bacteriological Code". International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology. 49 (3): 1313–1316. doi: 10.1099/00207713-49-3-1313 . PMID   10425796.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Wisnev, Michael A.; Prado, Jefferson (2023). "(296–303) Proposals to clarify basionyms and replaced synonyms in Articles 6, 9 and 41". TAXON. 72 (4): 947–948. doi: 10.1002/tax.13014 .
  8. ↑ Turland, N. (2013), The Code Decoded: A user's guide to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, vol. Regnum Vegetabile Volume 155, Koeltz Scientific Books, ISBN   978-3-87429-433-1
  9. ↑ McNeill, J.; Barrie, F.R.; Buck, W.R.; Demoulin, V.; Greuter, W.; Hawksworth, D.L.; Herendeen, P.S.; Knapp, S.; Marhold, K.; Prado, J.; Prud'homme Van Reine, W.F.; Smith, G.F.; Wiersema, J.H.; Turland, N.J. (2012). "Glossary". International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Melbourne Code) adopted by the Eighteenth International Botanical Congress Melbourne, Australia, July 2011. Vol. Regnum Vegetabile 154. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag KG. ISBN   978-3-87429-425-6.
  10. ↑ Weber, C. (1964). "The genus Chaenomeles (Rosaceae)". Journal of the Arnold Arboretum. 45 (2): 161–205, 302–345. doi: 10.5962/p.30865 . Page 164, footnote 1
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