Binomen
Encyclopedia
In zoological nomenclature
, a binomen (plural: binomina), is the two-part name of a species
. The term was introduced in 1953, abolishing the previously used "binomial name" (as being inaccurate). A binomen consists of a generic name (for the genus
) and a specific epithet (for the species).
Both the generic and specific names are typeset in italics, but only the generic name is capitalised, for example, Canis lupus. If the generic name has already been mentioned in the same paragraph, it is often abbreviated to the initial letter in subsequent uses, for example, C. lupus.
In a taxonomic
publication, the first mention of a binomen is often accompanied by the name of the author and the date, and sometimes publication details. This not only indicates who published the name, and the date of the publication, but is essential to determine priority
.
Binomina are part of binominal nomenclature (as it is formally known in zoology
) or binomial nomenclature
(as it is known in botany
). Binomina may be said to be a particular form of binomial names. Zoological nomenclature is governed by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
. Other codes of nomenclature
, which also use binomial nomenclature, apply to other types of organisms.
A trinomen
is the three-part name of a subspecies
.
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...
, a binomen (plural: binomina), is the two-part name of a species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
. The term was introduced in 1953, abolishing the previously used "binomial name" (as being inaccurate). A binomen consists of a generic name (for the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
) and a specific epithet (for the species).
Both the generic and specific names are typeset in italics, but only the generic name is capitalised, for example, Canis lupus. If the generic name has already been mentioned in the same paragraph, it is often abbreviated to the initial letter in subsequent uses, for example, C. lupus.
In a taxonomic
Alpha taxonomy
Alpha taxonomy is the discipline concerned with finding, describing and naming species of living or fossil organisms. This field is supported by institutions holding collections of these organisms, with relevant data, carefully curated: such institutes include natural history museums, herbaria and...
publication, the first mention of a binomen is often accompanied by the name of the author and the date, and sometimes publication details. This not only indicates who published the name, and the date of the publication, but is essential to determine priority
Principle of Priority
thumb|270px|Boa manditraIn zoology, the scientific study of animals, the Principle of Priority is one of the guiding principles of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, defined by Article 23....
.
Binomina are part of binominal nomenclature (as it is formally known in zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
) or binomial nomenclature
Binomial nomenclature
Binomial nomenclature is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammatical forms, although they can be based on words from other languages...
(as it is known in botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
). Binomina may be said to be a particular form of binomial names. Zoological nomenclature is governed by 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...
. Other codes of nomenclature
Nomenclature Codes
Nomenclature codes or codes of nomenclature are the various rulebooks that govern biological taxonomic nomenclature, each in their own broad field of organisms...
, which also use binomial nomenclature, apply to other types of organisms.
A trinomen
Trinomen
In zoological nomenclature, a trinomen , or trinominal name, refers to the name of a subspecies.A trinomen is a name consisting of three names: generic name, specific name and subspecific name. The first two parts alone form the binomen or species name. All three names are typeset in italics, and...
is the three-part name of a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
.