Homonym (zoology)
Encyclopedia
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
.
The rule in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
is that the first such name to be published is the senior homonym and is to be used (it is "valid
"); any others are junior homonyms and must be replaced with new names. It is, however, possible that if a senior homonym is archaic, and not in "prevailing usage," it may be declared a nomen oblitum
and rendered unavailable, while the junior homonym is preserved as a nomen protectum.
Similarly, the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature specifies that the first published of two or more homonyms is to be used: a later homonym is "illegitimate
" and is not to be used unless conserved.
Under the botanical code, names that are similar enough that they are likely to be confused, are also considered to be homonymous (article 53.3). For example, Astrostemma Benth. (1880) is an illegitimate homonym of Asterostemma Decne. (1838). The zoological code has a set of spelling variations (article 58) that are considered to be identical.
Both Codes only consider taxa that are in their respective scope (animals for the ICZN; primarily plants for the ICBN). Therefore, if an animal taxon has the same name as a plant taxon, both names are valid. For example, the name Erica has been given to both a genus of spiders, Erica
Peckham & Peckham, 1892, and to a genus of heaths, Erica
L.
Taxon
|thumb|270px|[[African elephants]] form a widely-accepted taxon, the [[genus]] LoxodontaA taxon is a group of organisms, which a taxonomist adjudges to be a unit. Usually a taxon is given a name and a rank, although neither is a requirement...
that is identical in spelling to another such name, that belongs to a different taxon
Taxon
|thumb|270px|[[African elephants]] form a widely-accepted taxon, the [[genus]] LoxodontaA taxon is a group of organisms, which a taxonomist adjudges to be a unit. Usually a taxon is given a name and a rank, although neither is a requirement...
.
The rule in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is a widely accepted convention in zoology that rules the formal scientific naming of organisms treated as animals...
is that the first such name to be published is the senior homonym and is to be used (it is "valid
Valid name (zoology)
In zoological nomenclature, the valid name of a taxon is the zoological name that is to be used for that taxon following the rules in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature . In other words: a valid name is the correct zoological name of a taxon.In contrast, an invalid name is a name...
"); any others are junior homonyms and must be replaced with new names. It is, however, possible that if a senior homonym is archaic, and not in "prevailing usage," it may be declared a nomen oblitum
Nomen oblitum
A nomen oblitum is a technical term, used in zoological nomenclature, for a particular kind of disused scientific name....
and rendered unavailable, while the junior homonym is preserved as a nomen protectum.
- For example:
- CuvierGeorges CuvierGeorges Chrétien Léopold Dagobert Cuvier or Jean Léopold Nicolas Frédéric Cuvier , known as Georges Cuvier, was a French naturalist and zoologist...
proposed the genus Echidna in 1797 for the spiny anteaterEchidnaEchidnas , also known as spiny anteaters, belong to the family Tachyglossidae in the monotreme order of egg-laying mammals. There are four extant species, which, together with the platypus, are the only surviving members of that order and are the only extant mammals that lay eggs...
. - However, ForsterJohann Reinhold ForsterJohann Reinhold Forster was a German Lutheran pastor and naturalist of partial Scottish descent who made contributions to the early ornithology of Europe and North America...
had already published the name Echidna in 1777 for a genus of moray eelMoray eelMoray eels are cosmopolitan eels of the family Muraenidae. The approximately 200 species in 15 genera are almost exclusively marine, but several species are regularly seen in brackish water and a few, for example the freshwater moray can sometimes be found in freshwater...
s. - Forster's use thus has priority, with Cuvier's being a junior homonym.
- IlligerJohann Karl Wilhelm IlligerJohann Karl Wilhelm Illiger was a German entomologist and zoologist.Illiger was the son of a merchant in Brunswick. He studied under the entomologist Johann Hellwig, and later worked on the zoological collections of Johann Centurius Hoffmannsegg...
published the replacement name Tachyglossus in 1811.
- Cuvier
Similarly, the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature specifies that the first published of two or more homonyms is to be used: a later homonym is "illegitimate
Nomen illegitimum
A nomen illegitimum is a technical term, used mainly in botany. It is usually abbreviated as nom. illeg..-Definition:...
" and is not to be used unless conserved.
- Example: the later homonym MyroxylonMyroxylonMyroxylon J.R.Forst. & G.Forst is a synonym of Xylosma.Myroxylon is a genus of two species of Central American and South American trees in the Fabaceae . The tree is well known in the western world as the source for Peru balsam and Tolu balsam. The tree is often called Quina or Balsamo...
L.f. (1782), in the Leguminosae, is conserved against the earlier homonym Myroxylon J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (1775), in the Flacourtiaceae.
Under the botanical code, names that are similar enough that they are likely to be confused, are also considered to be homonymous (article 53.3). For example, Astrostemma Benth. (1880) is an illegitimate homonym of Asterostemma Decne. (1838). The zoological code has a set of spelling variations (article 58) that are considered to be identical.
Both Codes only consider taxa that are in their respective scope (animals for the ICZN; primarily plants for the ICBN). Therefore, if an animal taxon has the same name as a plant taxon, both names are valid. For example, the name Erica has been given to both a genus of spiders, Erica
Erica (spider)
Erica is a genus of the spider family Salticidae . Its only described species, Erica eugenia, is found from Panama to Brazil....
Peckham & Peckham, 1892, and to a genus of heaths, Erica
Erica
Erica ,the heaths or heathers, is a genus of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The English common names "heath" and "heather" are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance....
L.