available name

A name that is correctly proposed according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. An available name is not necessarily the valid name.

category

Any rank within the classification hierarchy, e.g., family, subfamily, subspecies.

change of rank

When a name is moved from one level of the classification system to another.

classification

A system of nested hierarchical categories used to efficiently store information about the diversity of life.

classify

To place a taxon in a classification system.

emendation

An intentional change to a previously proposed name.

homonym

One of two or more scientific names that are identical but pertain to different organisms.

incertae sedis

A name of uncertain identity.

in litteris (in litt.)

in correspondence or communicated in writing. Used for an unpublished source of information.

junior homonym

If there are only two homonyms, the junior homonym is the most recently described homonym; if there are more than two homonyms, the junior homonyms are all but the oldest described homonym which is the senior homonym.

junior synonym

If there are only two synonyms, the most recently described one is the junior synonym; if there are more than two synonyms, the junior synonyms are all but the oldest described one which is the senior synonym.

justified emendation

An emendation that is correct according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

loco citato (loc. cit.)

place cited (publication and page), meaning cited above; used to avoid repetition of a reference.

nomen novum (nom. nov.)

a new name which is published to replace an earlier name (and valid only if the latter is preoccupied) and which is expressly proposed as a replacement name; a new name, not to be confused with a new species, or a new genus, etc., which represent new taxa. Commonly applied to names proposed to replace junior homonyms.

nomen nudum
(nom. nud.)

a naked name, a name that, if published before 1931, was not accompanied by a description, definition, or indication, or if published after 1930, is not accompanied by a statement that purports to give characters differentiating the taxon; or is not accompanied by a definite bibliographic reference to such a statement; or is not proposed expressly as a replacement for a pre-existing available name. A nomen nudum is not an available name, and therefore the same name may be made available later for the same or a different concept; in such a case it would take authorship and date from that act of establishment, not from any earlier publication as a nomen nudum.

nova species (n.sp.)

meaning a new species.

nova subspecies (n.ssp.)

meaning a new subspecies.

misidentification

A citation of a name in the literature that used the incorrect name because the specimens were improperly determined.

misspelling

A citation of a name in the literature that is incorrectly spelled.

new combination

When a species is transferred to a different genus for the first time.

orthographia mutata (orth. mut.)

with an altered spelling.

personal communication (pers comm.)

unpublished information communicated to the author verbally.

replacement name

A name that is assigned to replace a name that is a junior homonym.

senior homonym

The oldest described homonym.

senior synonym

The oldest synonym.

sensu lato (s.l.)

in the broad sense; using a taxon inclusively to embrace two or more taxa which other authors consider distinct.

sensu stricto (s.s. = s.str.)

meaning in the strict sense, in the narrow sense.

status novus (stat. nov.)

meaning new status or new rank.

synonym

One of two or more scientific names that are spelled differently but refer to the same organism.

synonymy

A section of a systematic presentation about an organism that lists all of the names that have been used for the organism including synonyms, new combinations, misidentifications, etc. In some cases this section may include only true synonyms.

systematics

The field of science dealing with the diversity of life and the relationships of life's component organisms.

taxon

One or more organisms that belong to the same taxonomic unit.

taxonomy

The field of science that classifies life.

type

A term used to describe the nomenclatural importance of various kinds of specimens.

allotype (Latin: allotypus)

A term, not regulated by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, for a designated specimen that is the opposite sex of the holotype specimen.

cotype (Latin: cotypus)

A term no longer recognized by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, formerly used for either syntype or paratype.

genotype (Latin: genotypus)

A term not recognized by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, formerly used for type species, but that should not now be used in zoological nomenclature.

holotype (Latin: holotypus)

A single specimen designated as the standard bearer of a species or subspecies type when it was established.

lectotype (Latin: lectotypus)

A specimen designated as the single name-bearing type specimen subsequent to the establishment of a nominal species or subspecies.

name-bearing type

The type genus, type species, holotype, lectotype, series of syntypes (which, together, form the name-bearing type), neotype, type slide, or hapantotype, that provides the objective standard of reference whereby the application of the name of a taxon can be determined.

neotype (Latin: neotypus)

A single specimen designated as the name-bearing type of a nominal species or subspecies for which none of the original type specimens (holotype, lectotype, syntype(s)) are believed to exist.

paralectotype (Latin: paralectotypus)

All of the specimens in the syntype series of a species or subspecies other than the lectotype.

paratype (Latin: paratypus)

All of the specimens in the type series of a species or subspecies other than the holotype.

syntype (Latin: syntypus)

Each specimen of a type series from which neither a holotype nor a lectotype has been designated.

topotype (Latin: topotypus)

A term, not regulated by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, for one or more specimens collected at the same location as the type species or subspecies to which it is thought to belong, whether or not the specimen is part of the type series.

type genus

The nominal genus that is the name-bearing type of a nominal family-group taxon.

type host

The host species with which the name-bearing type of a nominal species or subspecies was associated.

type locality

The geographic location where the primary type of a species or subspecies was collected.

type series

The series of specimens that either constitutes the name-bearing type (syntypes) of a nominal species or subspecies or from which the name-bearing type has been or may be designated.

type species

A species that has been selected as the standard bearer of a genus or subgenus.

type specimen

A term used in previous editions of the Code for holotype, lectotype, or neotype; also used generally for any specimen of the type series.

unavailable name

A name that is incorrectly proposed according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

unjustified emendation

An emendation that is incorrect according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

valid name

The correct name of an organism.