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Jiménez-Mejías P, Manzano S, Gowda V, Krell FT, Lin MY, Martín-Bravo S, Martín-Torrijos L, Nieto Feliner G, Mosyakin SL, Naczi RFC, Acedo C, Álvarez I, Crisci JV, Luceño Garcés M, Manning J, Moreno Saiz JC, Muasya AM, Riina R, Meseguer AS, Sánchez-Mata D. Protecting stable biological nomenclatural systems enables universal communication: A collective international appeal. Bioscience 2024; 74:467-472. [PMID: 39156614 PMCID: PMC11328142 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biae043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The fundamental value of universal nomenclatural systems in biology is that they enable unambiguous scientific communication. However, the stability of these systems is threatened by recent discussions asking for a fairer nomenclature, raising the possibility of bulk revision processes for "inappropriate" names. It is evident that such proposals come from very deep feelings, but we show how they can irreparably damage the foundation of biological communication and, in turn, the sciences that depend on it. There are four essential consequences of objective codes of nomenclature: universality, stability, neutrality, and transculturality. These codes provide fair and impartial guides to the principles governing biological nomenclature and allow unambiguous universal communication in biology. Accordingly, no subjective proposals should be allowed to undermine them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Jiménez-Mejías
- Área de Botánica, Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Saúl Manzano
- Quaternary Palynology Lab, Instituto de Medio Ambiente, Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad, and with the Área de Botánica, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental at the Universidad de León, León, Spain
- African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
| | - Vinita Gowda
- Department of Biological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, India
| | - Frank-Thorsten Krell
- Department of Zoology at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver, Colorado, United States
| | - Mei-Ying Lin
- Engineering Research Center for Forest and Grassland Disaster Prevention and Reduction, Mianyang Normal University, Mianyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Santiago Martín-Bravo
- Área de Botánica, Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Gonzalo Nieto Feliner
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation at Real Jardín Botánico (RJB), CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergei L Mosyakin
- M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Carmen Acedo
- Área de Botánica, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Inés Álvarez
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation at Real Jardín Botánico (RJB), CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Modesto Luceño Garcés
- Área de Botánica, Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - John Manning
- Compton Herbarium, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - A Muthama Muasya
- Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ricarda Riina
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation at Real Jardín Botánico (RJB), CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Sánchez Meseguer
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation at Real Jardín Botánico (RJB), CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Mata
- Botany Unit, School of Pharmacy at the Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Harvard University Herbaria, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
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von Mering S, Gardiner LM, Knapp S, Lindon H, Leachman S, Ulloa Ulloa C, Vincent S, Vorontsova MS. Creating a multi-linked dynamic dataset: a case study of plant genera named for women. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e114408. [PMID: 38098783 PMCID: PMC10719934 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e114408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A discussion on social media led to the formation of a multidisciplinary group working on this project to highlight women's contributions to science. The role of marginalised groups in science has been a topic of much discussion, but data on these contributions are largely lacking. Our motivation for the development of this dataset was not only to highlight names of plant genera that honour women, but to enrich this information with data that would allow the names, roles and lives of these women to be shared more widely with others, both researchers and data sources like Wikidata. Amplification of the contributions of women to botany through multiple means will enable the community to better recognise and celebrate the role of this particular marginalised group in the history and development of science. New information The innovative approach of our study resulted in a dataset that is dynamic, expansive and widely shared. We have published a static dataset with this paper and have also created a dynamic dataset by linking flowering plant genera and the women in whose honour those genera were named in Wikidata. This concurrent addition of the data to Wikidata, a linked open data repository, enabled it to be enriched, queried and proactively shared during the whole process of dataset creation and into the future. This innovative workflow allowed wide, open participation throughout the research process. The methodology and workflows applied can be used to create future datasets celebrating and amplifying the contributions of marginalised groups in science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine von Mering
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, GermanyMuseum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity ScienceBerlinGermany
| | - Lauren Maria Gardiner
- Cambridge University Herbarium, Cambridge, United KingdomCambridge University HerbariumCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Sandra Knapp
- Natural History Museum, London, United KingdomNatural History MuseumLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Heather Lindon
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Richmond, United KingdomRoyal Botanic Gardens KewRichmondUnited Kingdom
| | - Siobhan Leachman
- Independent researcher, Wellington, New ZealandIndependent researcherWellingtonNew Zealand
| | - Carmen Ulloa Ulloa
- Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, United States of AmericaMissouri Botanical GardenSt. LouisUnited States of America
| | - Sarah Vincent
- Natural History Museum, London, United KingdomNatural History MuseumLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Maria S. Vorontsova
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, United KingdomRoyal Botanic Gardens, KewLondonUnited Kingdom
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Heard SB, Mlynarek JJ. Naming the menagerie: creativity, culture and consequences in the formation of scientific names. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231970. [PMID: 37909078 PMCID: PMC10618856 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The coining of scientific names for newly described species is one of the most creative acts in science. We briefly review the history of species naming, with an emphasis on constraints and freedoms in the choice of new names and how they came to be. We then consider patterns in etymologies and linguistic origins of scientific names across clades and through time. Use of 'non-classical' languages (those other than Latin and Greek) in naming species has increased, as has the use of eponymous names (despite recent controversy around the practice). Finally, we consider ways in which creativity in naming has consequences for the conduct and outcome of scientific work. For example, sale of naming rights has funded research and conservation, while naming species after celebrities has increased media attention to the science of species discovery. Other consequences of naming are more surprising, including a strong effect of species-name etymology on the kinds of scientific studies conducted for plant-feeding arthropods. Scientific naming is a clear example of how science and scientists are socially situated, and how culturally influenced decisions such as what to name a new species can affect both public perception of science and the conduct of science itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen B. Heard
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 6E1
| | - Julia J. Mlynarek
- Division Collection et recherche, Insectarium de Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Harris DJ, Xavier R. Name and shame: can taxonomists agree on systematic reforms? Trends Ecol Evol 2023; 38:1022-1023. [PMID: 37633726 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2023.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
The Linnean nomenclatural system dominates in taxonomy, despite various ethical issues being raised regarding the rules applied to this approach. Some recent proposals to adapt the system have been dismissed as destabilizing by many taxonomists. However, simple rule changes and amendments to address these issues could be implemented without excessive disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- D James Harris
- BIOPOLIS-CIBIO-InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal.
| | - Raquel Xavier
- BIOPOLIS-CIBIO-InBIO, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
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