The fundamentals of nomenclature

1. The fundamentals of nomenclature

2. Background • Classification is the basic process of taxonomy. • Define taxon concepts • Group concepts together • Nomenclature is secondary to classification • Defines the rules by which the taxa and groups of taxa are named

3. Background • The rules of plant nomenclature are set down in the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) • Angiosperms,Gymonsperms, Pteridophytes, Bryophytes, Algae, Fungi, Cyanobacteria, Photosynthetic protists, Fossils and hybrids

4. Background • Other codes exists for other major groups of organsims: • Cultivated plants (International code of Nomenclature of cultivated plants) • Animals (International Code of Zoological Nomenclature) • Bacteria (International Code of Bacterial Nomenclature)

5. Background • First rules of plant nomenclature proposed by A.P. De Candolle in 1867. • Current rules governed by the Nomenclatural Committee of the International Botanical Congress (IBC) • First congress held in Vienna in 1908 • Latest code published in 2000 from the 1999 IBC

6. Changes to the code • Changes to the code are effected through voting of the members of the IBC. • Proposals for change must be published in taxon prior to the congress in which they are to be discussed. • Changes agreed at congress are incorporated into the code by the Editorial Committee

7. Structure of the code • Physical arrangement • 3 Divisions • Division I – Principles • Division II – Rules and recommendations • 7 Chapters • Sections • Division III – Provisions for the governance of the code • 5 Appendices

8. Structure of the code • Physical structure

9. Structure of the code • Logical structure • Principles • Provisions • Articles • Notes • Examples • Voted Examples • Recommendations • Footnotes

10. The principles of the Code • There are six principles which are intended to provide a stable naming system by: • Rejecting erroneous names and names that may cause ambiguity or confusion • Avoiding the superfluous creation of new names • Promote grammatical correctness and accuracy

11. The six principles of the code • Botanical nomenclature is independent of zoological and bacterial nomenclature • The application of names of taxonomic groups ids determined by means of nomenclatural types • The nomenclature of a taxonomic group is based upon priority of publication • Each taxonomic group with a particular circumscription position and rank can bear only one correct name • Scientific names are treated as Latin regardless of their derivation • The rules of nomenclature are retroactive unless expressly limited

12. The six principles of the code • Botanical nomenclature is independent of zoological and bacterial nomenclature • The application of names of taxonomic groups ids determined by means of nomenclatural types • The nomenclature of a taxonomic group is based upon priority of publication • Each taxonomic group with a particular circumscription position and rank can bear only one correct name • Scientific names are treated as Latin regardless of their derivation • The rules of nomenclature are retroactive unless expressly limited

13. The type concept (Principle 2) • The nomenclatural type concept and the designation of types is covered in articles 7-10. • A nomenclatural type (Latin: typus) is the element to which a name is permanently attached.

14. The type concept (Principle 2) • Designation of types • Definitely accepted as a type by the author • The type element must be clearly indicated in the text using the word “typus” or “holotypus” • After 1 Jan. 2001 the designation must include the phrase “here designated” • The work must have been effectively published • The designation only applies at the rank of the taxon being published

15. The type concept (Principle 2) • The type chain Family Genus Species

16. The type concept (Principle 2) Kinds of type – defined in Article 9 • Holotype • Isotype • Paratype • Syntype • Lectotype • Neotype • Epitype

17. Priority (Principles 3 & 4) • Defined in Article 11 • Family – Genus • The correct name is the earliest legitimate name at the designated rank. • Species and below • The correct name is the combination of the assigned genus or species and the final epithet of the earliest legitimate name

18. Priority (Principles 3 & 4) • Defined in Article 11 • To be applied whenever the circumscription of a taxon contains more than one type • Most commonly required when there is a union between two taxa

19. Alyxia angustifolia Ridl. Ridley 16060 K Alyxia pachyphylla Merr. Native collector 2224 PNH The union of two taxa at the same rank

20. Alyxia angustifolia Ridl. Ridley 16060 K Alyxia pachyphylla Merr. Native collector 2224 PNH The union of two taxa at the same rank

21. Alyxia angustifolia Ridl. Ridley 16060 K Alyxia pachyphylla Merr. Native collector 2224 PNH The union of two taxa at the same rank ?

22. Alyxia angustifolia Ridl. Ridley 16060 K J. Fed. Malay States Mus. 6 (1915) Alyxia pachyphylla Merr. Native collector 2224 PNH J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 77 (1917) The union of two taxa at the same rank ?

23. Alyxia angustifolia Ridl. Ridley 16060 K J. Fed. Malay States Mus. 6 (1915) Alyxia pachyphylla Merr. Native collector 2224 PNH J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 77 (1917) The union of two taxa at the same rank Alyxia angustifolia Ridl. Alyxia pachyphylla Merr.

24. Name changes arising from changes in taxonomic placement Hunteria Hunteria gracilis A.DC.

25. Name changes arising from changes in taxonomic placement Gynopogon Hunteria K. Schum. Hunteria gracilis A.DC.

26. Name changes arising from changes in taxonomic placement Gynopogon Hunteria K. Schum. ? Hunteria gracilis A.DC.

27. Name changes arising from changes in taxonomic placement Gynopogon Hunteria Gynopogon gracilis (A.DC.) K. Schum. Hunteria gracilis A.DC.

28. Name changes arising from changes in taxonomic placement Gynopogon Alyxia Hook. f. Gynopogon gracilis (A.DC.) K. Schum.

29. Name changes arising from changes in taxonomic placement Gynopogon Alyxia Hook. f. Alyxia gracilis (A.DC.) Hook. f.

30. Publication of names • The three hurdles to publication Effectively published Validly published Legitimate

31. Publication of names • Effective publication • Dealt with in Articles 29 – 31 • Dissemination must be via printed matter (after 1953) • Must be available to the general public Or • Must be lodged in a botanical library accessible generally to botanists

32. Publication of names • Validity/invalidity • Covered in articles 32 – 45 • Probably the most complex part of the Code

33. Publication of names • Validity/invalidity - requirements • The name must be effectively published • The name must be in the correct form (Articles 16 – 27) • The publication must contain a description or a diagnosis of the taxon. (Nom. Nud.) • Comply with the special provisions of Articles 33 - 45

34. Publication of names • Validity/invalidity – special provisions • Names at specified ranks listed in Appendix V of the code are invalid. • Specific epithets when published must contain a clear reference to the genus to which they are assigned. • The name must be explicitly accepted by the author. • After 1 Jan. 1953 there must be a clear indication of the rank of the name

35. Publication of names • Validity/invalidity – special provisions • For names published before 1908 an illustration with analysis is an acceptable alternative to a description or diagnosis. • New names excluding those for algae and fossil taxa published after 1 Jan 1935 must include a Latin description or diagnosis or contain a reference to an effectively published description or diagnosis. • For names of algae expect fossil algae published after 1 Jan. 1958 a Latin diagnosis / description is required for valid publication. • For names of all fossil plants published after 1 Jan 1996 a Latin diagnosis/description is required for valid publication.

36. Publication of names • Validity/invalidity – special provisions • After 1 Jan. 1958 a valid name at rank genus or below is only created if it is published with an indication of the type. • After 1 Jan. 1990 when publishing a name at rank genus or below the indication of the type must include the term “typus” or “holo typus”. • After 1 Jan 1990 when publishing a name at rank species or below the indication of the type must include an indication of the herbarium in which the type is conserved.

37. Publication of names • Validity/invalidity • Recommendation 45A • Authors using new names in works (floras, catalogs etc.) written in modern language should simultaneously comply with the requirements of valid publication.

38. Publication of names • Legitimacy/illegitimacy • Superfluous names (Article 52) • Homonyms (Articles 53 – 54)

39. Things not covered • Ranks • Form of names • Author citations • Orthography • Hybrids (nothotaxa)