Binomial Nomenclature

It is the system of giving a scientific name to an animal or a plant, an outstanding system contributed by Carolus Linnaeus. According to this system, any given animal or plant is given a scientific name consisting of two words. The first word refers to name of the genus while the second word refers to the name of the species. Both the genus and the species are generally given Latin names. Greek words are quite prevalent though Latin grammar is used. In rare cases, even vernacular names have been incorporated into the scientific name. For example, Pitta brachyura for the bird called the Indian Pitta. The word Pitta being taken from Telugu. The name of the genus is usually a noun and that of the species is an adjective. It is not unusual in Latin that an adjective follows the noun!

Binomial nomenclature avoids the confusion of using common names. For example, the mountain lion is commonly called as puma, cougar, panther and so on in different parts of the world. However, scientists all over the world recognize this animal by a scientific name Felis concolor. The domestic cat belongs to the same genus Felis but not to the same species. Scientifically it is known as Felis domestica. Similarly the scientific name of tiger is Felis tigris and that of lion is Felis leo.

There are certain guidelines laid down with reference to the use of binomial nomenclature which is the result of deliberations held from time to time. An international committee has been established to frame the rules and regulations regarding binomial nomenclature for plants and animals. It is known as the International Council for Binomial Nomenclature (ICBN). Following are some of the major guidelines for scientific naming of plants and animals.

1. Every scientific name should have words either in Latin or be Latinized (i.e., follow Latin grammar).

2. The first word refers to name of the genus and the second word to the name of the species.

3. The name of the genus should start with a capital letter and name of the species with a small letter.

4. Both the names should be printed in italics or else they should be underlined separately. For example, Felis leo or Felis leo.

5. Name of the scientist who first identified and described the species should be abbreviated and written after the species name, preferably in brackets. For example, Homo sapiens Linnaeus is written as Homo sapiens (Linn). This practice is more prevalent in the botanical sciences.

Examples of Binomial Nomenclature

fig. 7.4 - Examples of Binomial Nomenclature

Systematic Position

Once an organism is identified and grouped, it is then described in terms of the various taxonomic categories to which it belongs. Such a description is known as systematic position. The following is a description of the systematic position of human being and the hibiscus plant.

fig. 7.5 - Systematic Position of Human Being and the Hibiscus Plant