Q. Illustrate the Important rules of nomenclature?

Nomenclature is allied to taxonomy as it deals with the determination of the correct name to be applied to a known taxon. The use of scientific names rather than of common or vernacular names has much to commend. In the days of Linnaeus by common accord no two genera could have the same generic name and no two species within a given genus could have the same specific name.

In biological literature there are numerous examples of different nomenclatural codes drafted and followed simultaneously by different groups of workers; However, such practice became less prevalent. To achieve stability and universality in the name of animals, first Zoological Code "The Stick land Code" was developed in 1842 by a Committee that included Darwin, Han slow, Water house and Westwood. However, a truly cosmopolitan set of rules was not adopted until.1898.

You should know that for Botany first code was presented in 1813 by Augustin de Candolle in his "Theorie elementaire de La botanique" and the organisation establishea in 1867. International code in Bacteriology was first adopted in 1947. Similarly, awareness of universal viral nomenclature was indicated first by the virus-subcommittee of the International Commission on Bacteriology established in 1951. Since then, there have been many schemes put forth but till date only a few has been universally accepted. The first report on classification and nomenclature of viruses was published in 1971.

It is important for you to know that it is only after a long history that Botanical, Zoological and to some extent Bacteriological Codes have achieved a rather stable position today. The Virological Codes are most recent and insufficient, subject to major revisions before being finalised. You should also know that Zoological nomenclature is independent of botanical nomenclature. Every effort should be made to avoid the introduction of those generic names in Zoology which are already in use in Botany. The scientific names of animals from sub-genera and above are uninomial. The names of species are binomial and those of sub-species are trinomial.

The first (genus) and the third (species) words formed the binomen. The second word is the sub genus. The first, the third laud the fourth together forms the trinomen. The first, the Second, the Third and the fourth word forms the Polynomial nomenclature. Hardy is the original author of this taxon published in 1955.

The International Code for Zoological Nomenclature also brings out declaration that the commission is empowered to implement the provision for the modifications of the-code. The official indexes of rejected and invalid names and works and the official tests of validated names and approved ones, although published by the trust separately are considered to be integral parts of the Zoological Code.