Difference between revisions of "Database content changes affecting the taxonomic standing of a scientific name"
(Created page with "An initial step towards such a "Concept subscription service" or "Taxonomic activity notification service" is to categorize the changes in the content of a taxonomic database...") |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | ==Introduction and definitions== | |
| − | A scientific name is here | + | There are [[Potential Caveats | caveats]] regarding the unanimity of scientific names. As a consequence, in some cases taxonomic expertise is needed to decide if names from different sources do really refer to the same currently accepted taxon. Taxonomic aggregator systems should monitor such changes and be able to alert users when relevant changes are detected. |
| + | |||
| + | An initial step toward such a "Concept Subscription Service" or "Taxonomic Activity Notification Service" is to categorize the changes in the content of a taxonomic database that influence the linkage of a scientific name to a taxonomic concept. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A scientific name is understood here as a designation for a group of organisms, structured according to the rules of nomenclature, independent of their nomenclatural or taxonomic standing. The rules of nomenclature are defined in the respective Codes of Nomenclature (for animals; fungi, algae, and plants; also for prokaryotes; and viruses, which are at present left out of consideration here). | ||
| + | |||
| + | The taxonomic concept represents the taxon itself, i.e., the circumscription of a group of organisms and the delimitation of that group against other groups. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The accepted name is understood here as the name that must be applied to that group according to the rules of nomenclature. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The canonical name is the name string without its authors and year of publication (but including its rank designation, where it has to be applied according to the rules of nomenclature). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Categories of changes== | ||
| + | The effect of a change in a name depend on its previous standing and in some cases on the aggregator's editorial policy. | ||
| + | ====Changes in the nomenclatural standing of a name==== | ||
| + | These are changes in the acceptance of the name with regard to conformance with the rules of nomenclature. The consequence depends on its previous standing<BR/> | ||
| + | Accepted name: This implies a change in its taxonomic standing, too - it will have to be assigned as a syononymous designation to the now accepted name for its taxon. <br/> | ||
| + | Synonym or synonymous designation: The change at the aggregator's side is purely nomenclatural. Users may opt to be informed nevertheless, because if they follow a different classification, this may have taxonomic consequences on their side.<br/> | ||
| + | Identifier: In both cases, the identification (unique ID) of the name should not be affected. | ||
| + | ====Classification changes that imply name changes==== | ||
| + | Scientific names below the level of genera are containing name elements that depend on their classification. For example, a species name (bionomial) consists of a generic name and a species epithet (strictly, this is the botanical terminology, but the consequences in zoology are similar). If the concept of the genus changes, e.g. by the addition of a species from another genus, the binomial of the latter species changes, without a direct effect on the circumscription of that species. <br/> | ||
| + | This applies only to accepted names. The taxonomic change is related to the generic name. <br/> | ||
| + | Albeit they refer to exactly the same taxon, the two names should must have different unique name IDs.<br/> | ||
| + | ====Changes in the taxonomic standing of a name==== | ||
| + | Such changes are the consequence of a change in circumscription of one or more taxa. Since the accepted name is always the oldest name that has its type specimen can be accepted | ||
| + | ====Other changes==== | ||
Revision as of 11:38, 21 May 2024
Contents
Introduction and definitions
There are caveats regarding the unanimity of scientific names. As a consequence, in some cases taxonomic expertise is needed to decide if names from different sources do really refer to the same currently accepted taxon. Taxonomic aggregator systems should monitor such changes and be able to alert users when relevant changes are detected.
An initial step toward such a "Concept Subscription Service" or "Taxonomic Activity Notification Service" is to categorize the changes in the content of a taxonomic database that influence the linkage of a scientific name to a taxonomic concept.
A scientific name is understood here as a designation for a group of organisms, structured according to the rules of nomenclature, independent of their nomenclatural or taxonomic standing. The rules of nomenclature are defined in the respective Codes of Nomenclature (for animals; fungi, algae, and plants; also for prokaryotes; and viruses, which are at present left out of consideration here).
The taxonomic concept represents the taxon itself, i.e., the circumscription of a group of organisms and the delimitation of that group against other groups.
The accepted name is understood here as the name that must be applied to that group according to the rules of nomenclature.
The canonical name is the name string without its authors and year of publication (but including its rank designation, where it has to be applied according to the rules of nomenclature).
Categories of changes
The effect of a change in a name depend on its previous standing and in some cases on the aggregator's editorial policy.
Changes in the nomenclatural standing of a name
These are changes in the acceptance of the name with regard to conformance with the rules of nomenclature. The consequence depends on its previous standing
Accepted name: This implies a change in its taxonomic standing, too - it will have to be assigned as a syononymous designation to the now accepted name for its taxon.
Synonym or synonymous designation: The change at the aggregator's side is purely nomenclatural. Users may opt to be informed nevertheless, because if they follow a different classification, this may have taxonomic consequences on their side.
Identifier: In both cases, the identification (unique ID) of the name should not be affected.
Classification changes that imply name changes
Scientific names below the level of genera are containing name elements that depend on their classification. For example, a species name (bionomial) consists of a generic name and a species epithet (strictly, this is the botanical terminology, but the consequences in zoology are similar). If the concept of the genus changes, e.g. by the addition of a species from another genus, the binomial of the latter species changes, without a direct effect on the circumscription of that species.
This applies only to accepted names. The taxonomic change is related to the generic name.
Albeit they refer to exactly the same taxon, the two names should must have different unique name IDs.
Changes in the taxonomic standing of a name
Such changes are the consequence of a change in circumscription of one or more taxa. Since the accepted name is always the oldest name that has its type specimen can be accepted
