Priority (biology)

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Sanzinia madagascariensis was moved to the genus Boa. To avoid having the same name as another snake, it was renamed Boa manditra. On further investigation, it was established that the move had been incorrect, so the original name was reinstated as the valid name. Madagascar Tree Boa (Sanzinia madagascariensis) 1.jpg
Sanzinia madagascariensis was moved to the genus Boa. To avoid having the same name as another snake, it was renamed Boa manditra. On further investigation, it was established that the move had been incorrect, so the original name was reinstated as the valid name.

Priority is a principle in biological taxonomy by which a valid scientific name is established based on the oldest available name. It is a decisive rule in botanical and zoological nomenclature to recognise the first binomial name (also called binominal name in zoology) given to an organism as the correct and acceptable name. [1] [2] The purpose is to select one scientific name as a stable one out of two or more alternate names that often exist for a single species. [3] [4]

Contents

The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) defines it as: "A right to precedence established by the date of valid publication of a legitimate name or of an earlier homonym, or by the date of designation of a type." [5] Basically, it is a scientific procedure to eliminate duplicate or multiple names for a species, for which Lucien Marcus Underwood called it "the principle of outlaw in nomenclature". [6]

History

The North American wildflower genus Agalinis was published in 1837, but for a long time, it was included in the ambiguously named genus Gerardia. In 1961, the problem with the name Gerardia was resolved, and Agalinis came into common use. However, three relatively unknown names for the genus had been published earlier: Virgularia Ruiz & Pav. in 1794, Chytra C.F.Gaertn. in 1807, and Tomanthera Raf. in 1837, of which Virgularia would have priority. These three names have since been rejected in favour of Agalinis. Agalinis purpurea - Purple False Foxglove.jpg
The North American wildflower genus Agalinis was published in 1837, but for a long time, it was included in the ambiguously named genus Gerardia. In 1961, the problem with the name Gerardia was resolved, and Agalinis came into common use. However, three relatively unknown names for the genus had been published earlier: Virgularia Ruiz & Pav. in 1794, Chytra C.F.Gaertn. in 1807, and Tomanthera Raf. in 1837, of which Virgularia would have priority. These three names have since been rejected in favour of Agalinis.

The principle of priority has not always been in place. When Carl Linnaeus laid the foundations of modern nomenclature, he offered no recognition of prior names. The botanists who followed him were just as willing to overturn Linnaeus's names. The first sign of recognition of priority came in 1813, when A. P. de Candolle laid out some principles of good nomenclatural practice. He favoured retaining prior names, but left wide scope for overturning poor prior names. [9]

In botany

During the 19th century, the principle gradually came to be accepted by almost all botanists, but debate continued to rage over the conditions under which the principle might be ignored. Botanists on one side of the debate argued that priority should be universal and without exception. This would have meant a one-off major disruption as countless names in current usage were overturned in favour of archaic prior names. In 1891, Otto Kuntze, one of the most vocal proponents of this position, did just that, publishing over 30000 new combinations in his Revisio Generum Plantarum . [9] He then followed with further such publications in 1893, 1898 and 1903. [9] His efforts, however, were so disruptive that they appear to have benefited his opponents. By the 1900s, the need for a mechanism for the conservation of names was widely accepted, and details of such a mechanism were under discussion. The current system of "modified priority" was essentially put in place at the Cambridge Congress of 1930. [9]

In zoology

By the 19th century, the Linnaean binomial system was generally adopted by zoologists. In doing so, many zoologists tried to dig up the oldest possible scientific names as a result of which proper and consistent names prevailing at the time including those by the eminent zoologists like Louis Agassiz, Georges Cuvier, Charles Darwin, Thomas Huxley, Richard Owen, etc. came to be challenged. Scientific organisations tried to established practical rules to changing names, but not a uniform system. [10]

The first zoological code with priority rule was first formulated in 1842 by a committee appointed by the British Association. The committee comprising Charles Darwin, John Stevens Henslow, Leonard Jenyns, William Ogilby, John O. Westwood, John Phillips, Ralph Richardson and Hugh Edwin Strickland. The first meeting was at Darwin's house in London. [11] The committee's report written by Strickland was implemented as the Rules of Zoological Nomenclature, [12] and popularly known as the Stricklandian Code. [13] It was not endorsed by all zoologists as it allowed naming, renaming and reclassifying with relative ease, as Science reported: "The worst feature of this abuse is not so much the bestowal of unknown names of well-known creatures as the transfer of one to another." [10]

Principle

In zoology, the principle of priority is defined by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (4th edition, 1999) in its article 23:

The valid name of a taxon is the oldest available name applied to it, unless that name has been invalidated or another name is given precedence by any provision of the Code or by any ruling of the Commission [the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature]. For this reason priority applies to the validity of synonyms [Art. 23.3], to the relative precedence of homonyms [Arts. 53-60], the correctness or otherwise of spellings [Arts. 24, 32], and to the validity of nomenclatural acts (such as acts taken under the Principle of the First Reviser [Art. 24.2] and the fixation of name-bearing types [Arts. 68, 69, 74.1.3, 75.4]). [14]

There are exceptions: another name may be given precedence by any provision of the Code or by any ruling of the Commission. According to the ICZN preamble:

Priority of publication is a basic principle of zoological nomenclature; however, under conditions prescribed in the Code its application may be modified to conserve a long-accepted name in its accustomed meaning. When stability of nomenclature is threatened in an individual case, the strict application of the Code may under specified conditions be suspended by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. [15]

In botany, the principle if defined by the Shenzhen Code (or the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants ) in 2017 in its article 11:

Each family or lower-ranked taxon with a particular circumscription, position, and rank can bear only one correct name. Special exceptions are made for nine families and one subfamily for which alternative names are permitted (see Art. 18.5 and 19.8). The use of separate names is allowed for fossil-taxa that represent different parts, life-history stages, or preservational states of what may have been a single organismal taxon or even a single individual (Art. 1.2). [16]

Concept

Priority has two aspects:

  1. The first formal scientific name published for a plant or animal taxon shall be the name that is to be used, called the valid name in zoology and correct name in botany (principle of synonymy).
  2. Once a name has been used, no subsequent publication of that name for another taxon shall be valid (zoology) or validly published (botany) (principle of homonymy).

Note that nomenclature for botany and zoology is independent, and the rules of priority regarding homonyms operate within each discipline but not between them. Thus, an animal and a plant can bear the same name, which is then called a hemihomonym.

There are formal provisions for making exceptions to the principle of priority under each of the Codes. If an archaic or obscure prior name is discovered for an established taxon, the current name can be declared a nomen conservandum (botany) or conserved name (zoology), and so conserved against the prior name. Conservation may be avoided entirely in zoology as these names may fall in the formal category of nomen oblitum . Similarly, if the current name for a taxon is found to have an archaic or obscure prior homonym, the current name can be declared a nomen protectum (zoology) or the older name suppressed ( nomen rejiciendum , botany).

Application

In botany and horticulture, the principle of priority applies to names at the rank of family and below. [17] [18] When moves are made to another genus or from one species to another, the "final epithet" of the name is combined with the new genus name, with any adjustments necessary for Latin grammar, for example:

In zoology, the principle of priority applies to names between the rank of superfamily and subspecies (not to varieties, which are below the rank of subspecies). [25] Also unlike in botany, the authorship of new combinations is not tracked, and only the original authority is ever cited. Example:

Examples

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genus</span> Taxonomic rank directly above species

Genus is a taxonomic rank above species and below family as used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial species name for each species within the genus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subgenus</span> Taxonomic rank

In biology, a subgenus is a taxonomic rank directly below genus.

<i>International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants</i> Code of scientific nomenclature

The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants is the set of rules and recommendations dealing with the formal botanical names that are given to plants, fungi and a few other groups of organisms, all those "traditionally treated as algae, fungi, or plants". It was formerly called the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN); the name was changed at the International Botanical Congress in Melbourne in July 2011 as part of the Melbourne Code which replaced the Vienna Code of 2005.

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

In biology, a type is a particular specimen of an organism to which the scientific name of that organism is formally associated. In other words, a type is an example that serves to anchor or centralizes the defining features of that particular taxon. In older usage, a type was a taxon rather than a specimen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Form (botany)</span> Taxonomic rank in botanical nomenclature

In botanical nomenclature, a form is one of the "secondary" taxonomic ranks, below that of variety, which in turn is below that of species; it is an infraspecific taxon. If more than three ranks are listed in describing a taxon, the "classification" is being specified, but only three parts make up the "name" of the taxon: a genus name, a specific epithet, and an infraspecific epithet.

In the scientific name of organisms, basionym or basyonym 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. In zoology, alternate terms such as original combination or protonym are sometimes used instead. Bacteriology uses a similar term, basonym, spelled without an i.

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.

In botany, an infraspecific name is the scientific name for any taxon below the rank of species, i.e. an infraspecific taxon or infraspecies. A "taxon", plural "taxa", is a group of organisms to be given a particular name. The scientific names of botanical taxa are regulated by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN). This specifies a three part name for infraspecific taxa, plus a connecting term to indicate the rank of the name. An example of such a name is Astrophytum myriostigma subvar. glabrum, the name of a subvariety of the species Astrophytum myriostigma.

In botanical nomenclature, author citation is the way of citing the person or group of people who validly published a botanical name, i.e. who first published the name while fulfilling the formal requirements as specified by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN). In cases where a species is no longer in its original generic placement, both the authority for the original genus placement and that for the new combination are given.

In botanical nomenclature, a hybrid may be given a hybrid name, which is a special kind of botanical name, but there is no requirement that a hybrid name should be created for plants that are believed to be of hybrid origin. The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICNafp) provides the following options in dealing with a hybrid:

In zoological nomenclature, the valid name of a taxon is the correct scientific name for that taxon. The valid name must be used for that taxon, regardless of any other name that may currently be used for that taxon, or may previously have been used. A name can only be valid when it is an available name under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN); if a name is unavailable, then it cannot be considered either valid or invalid.

In biology, a homonym is a name for a taxon that is identical in spelling to another such name, that belongs to a different taxon.

<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".

In botanical nomenclature, autonyms are automatically created names, as regulated by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants that are created for certain subdivisions of genera and species, those that include the type of the genus or species. An autonym might not be mentioned in the publication that creates it as a side-effect. Autonyms "repeat unaltered" the genus name or species epithet of the taxon being subdivided, and no other name for that same subdivision is validly published. For example, Rubus subgenus Eubatus is not validly published, and the subgenus is known as Rubus subgen. Rubus.

The Botanical and Zoological Codes of nomenclature treat the concept of synonymy differently.

In zoological nomenclature, an available name is a scientific name for a taxon of animals that has been published after 1757 and conforming to all the mandatory provisions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature for the establishment of a zoological name. In contrast, an unavailable name is a name that does not conform to the rules of that code and that therefore is not available for use as a valid name for a taxon. Such a name does not fulfil the requirements in Articles 10 through 20 of the Code, or is excluded under Article 1.3.

<i>Nomen illegitimum</i> Latin term meaning "illegitimate name", used mainly in botany.

Nomen illegitimum is a technical term used mainly in botany. It is usually abbreviated as nom. illeg. Although the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants uses Latin terms as qualifiers for taxon names, the definition of each term is in English rather than Latin. The Latin abbreviations are widely used by botanists and mycologists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanctioned name</span> Type of name in mycology

In mycology, a sanctioned name is a name that was adopted in certain works of Christiaan Hendrik Persoon or Elias Magnus Fries, which are considered major points in fungal taxonomy.

<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.

References

  1. ↑ Dubois, Alain (2010-07-01). "Zoological nomenclature in the century of extinctions: priority vs. 'usage'". Organisms Diversity & Evolution. 10 (3): 259–274. Bibcode:2010ODivE..10..259D. doi:10.1007/s13127-010-0021-3. ISSN   1618-1077.
  2. ↑ Hitchcock, A. S. (1921). "The Type Concept in Systematic Botany". American Journal of Botany. 8 (5): 251–255. doi:10.2307/2434993. ISSN   0002-9122. JSTOR   2434993.
  3. ↑ Rickett, H. W. (1953). "Expediency vs. Priority in Nomenclature". Taxon. 2 (6): 117–124. doi:10.2307/1216446. ISSN   0040-0262. JSTOR   1216446.
  4. ↑ "The Code of the Near Future". The American Midland Naturalist. 1 (5): 143–144. 1909. doi:10.2307/2993205. ISSN   0003-0031. JSTOR   2993205.
  5. ↑ "Glossary". International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. Glashütten, Germany: Koeltz Botanical Books. 2018 [2017]. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  6. ↑ Underwood, Lucien M. (1892-08-26). "Some Points in the Nomenclature-Priority Question". Science. ns-20 (499): 116–117. Bibcode:1892Sci....20..116U. doi:10.1126/science.ns-20.499.116. ISSN   0036-8075. JSTOR   1767778. PMID   17744445.
  7. ↑ D'Arcy, W.G. (1979). "(463) Proposal to Conserve the Name Agalinis Raf. (1837) against Virgularia Ruiz & Pavon (1794) (Scrophulariaceae)". Taxon. 28 (4): 419–422. doi:10.2307/1219765. JSTOR   1219765.
  8. ↑ McNeill, J.; Barrie, F.R.; Burdet, H.M.; Demoulin, V.; Hawksworth, D.L.; Marhold, K.; Nicolson, D.H.; Prado, J.; Silva, P.C.; Skog, J.E.; Wiersema, J.; Turland, N.J., eds. (2006). International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (Vienna Code). Adopted by the Seventeenth International Botanical Congress Vienna, Austria, July 2005. Rugell, Liechtenstein: A. R. G. Gantner. ISBN   3-906166-48-1. Appendix III, page 289
  9. 1 2 3 4 Nicolson, Dan (1991). "A history of botanical nomenclature". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden . 78 (1): 33–56. doi:10.2307/2399589. JSTOR   2399589.
  10. 1 2 G. A., Boulenger (1908-10-09). "The Rule of Priority in Zoological Nomenclature". Science. 28 (719): 490–491. doi:10.1126/science.28.719.490-a. ISSN   0036-8075. JSTOR   1635316. PMID   17812544.
  11. ↑ McOuat, Gordon (2016). "Naming and Necessity: Sherborn's Context in the 19(th) Century". ZooKeys (550): 57–69. Bibcode:2016ZooK..550...57M. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.550.7399 . ISSN   1313-2989. PMC   4741214 . PMID   26877652.
  12. ↑ Minelli, Alessandro (2008-12-05). "Zoological vs. botanical nomenclature: a forgotten BioCode experiment from the times of the Strickland Code". Zootaxa. 1950 (1). doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1950.1.5. ISSN   1175-5334. S2CID   5164356.
  13. ↑ Linsley, E. G.; Usinger, R. L. (1959). "Linnaeus and the Development of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature". Systematic Zoology. 8 (1): 39. doi:10.2307/2411606. JSTOR   2411606.
  14. ↑ "Article 23. Principle of Priority". International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. 2012 [1999]. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  15. ↑ "Preamble". International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. 2012 [1999]. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  16. ↑ "SECTION 3: PRIORITY: Article 11". International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. Glashütten, Germany: Koeltz Botanical Books. 2018 [2017]. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  17. ↑ 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). "Principle IV; Article 11". 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.
  18. ↑ Brickell, C.D.; Alexander, C.; David, J.C.; Hetterscheid, W.L.A.; Leslie, A.C.; Malecot, V.; Jin, X.; Cubey, J.J. (2009), "Principle 3" (PDF), International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP or Cultivated Plant Code) incorporating the Rules and Recommendations for naming plants in cultivation, Eighth Edition, Adopted by the International Union of Biological Sciences International Commission for the Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants, International Association for Plant Taxonomy and International Society for Horticultural Science, ISBN   978-90-6605-662-6
  19. ↑ Darbyshire, S.J. (1993). "Realignment of Festuca Subgenus Schedonorus with the Genus Lolium (Poaceae)". Novon. 3 (3): 239–243. doi:10.2307/3391460. JSTOR   3391460.
  20. ↑ "Tropicos.org" . Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  21. ↑ "Kew" . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  22. ↑ 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). "Article 49". 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.
  23. ↑ John Mark Egger (2008). "Nomenclatural changes and selected lectotypifications in Castilleja (Orobanchaceae)". Phytologia. 90: 63–82.
  24. ↑ "Australian Plant Names Index" . Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  25. ↑ ICZN 1999 (International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, 1999 Ed.).
  26. ↑ "Universal Chalcidoidea Database".
  27. ↑ "Universal Chalcidoidea Database".
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