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This is a clue as to the origins, evolution, and life-history of the organism. The generic epithet of binomial nomenclature refers to the taxonomic hierarchy of organisms, genus, of each organisms. However, when discussing many species of the same genus, the generic name is sometimes abbreviated to the first letter, still capitalized. Typically, the full name should be written out. In some older documents, both may be capitalized. The generic epithet is always capitalized, while the specific epithet is written in lower-case. When written, the text of a scientific name is usually italicized or underlined, to clarify that it is a scientific name written in binomial nomenclature. Typically, the words have a Latin base and describe the genus or species with references to traits that are specific to the group. The second word is the specific epithet and refers to the species of the organism. The first word is the generic epithet and describes the genus that an animal belongs to. The number of different colloquial names for a single species can be staggering.Įach scientific name in binomial nomenclature consists of two names, also called descriptors or epithets. Without a formalized system for naming organisms the discussion of them, even between peers that speak the same language, becomes nearly impossible.
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Binomial nomenclature was established as a way to bring clarity to discussions of organisms, evolution, and ecology in general. This work was published in various sections between 17, and established the conventions of binomial nomenclature, which are still used today. Linnaeus published a large work, Systema Naturae (The System of Nature), in which Linnaeus attempted to identify every known plant and animal. Binomial nomenclature is the system of scientifically naming organisms developed by Carl Linnaeus.
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