- Homonym (biology)
In biology, a homonym is a name for a
taxon that is identical in spelling to another such name, that belongs to a differenttaxon .The rule in the
International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is that the first such name to be published is the senior homonym and is to be used (it is "valid"); any others are junior homonyms and must be replaced with new names. It is, however, possible that if a senior homonym is archaic, and not in "prevailing usage," it may be declared a "nomen oblitum " and rendered unavailable, while the junior homonym is preserved as a "nomen protectum ".:For example::*Cuvier proposed the genus "Echidna" in 1797 for the spiny anteater. :*However, Forster had already published the name "Echidna" in 1777 for a genus of
moray eel s. :*Forster's use thus has priority, with Cuvier's being a junior homonym.:*Illiger published the replacement name "Tachyglossus" in 1811.Similarly, the
International Code of Botanical Nomenclature specifies that the first published of two or more homonyms is to be used: a later homonym is "illegitimate" and is not to be used unless conserved.:Example: the later homonym "
Myroxylon " L.f. (1782), in the "Leguminosae", is conserved against the earlier homonym "Myroxylon" J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (1775), in the "Flacourtiaceae".Names that are similar enough that they are likely to be confused, are also considered to be homonymous. For example, "Astrostemma" Benth. (1880) is an illegitimate homonym of "
Asterostemma " Decne. (1838).Both Codes only consider taxa that are in their respective scope (animals for the ICZN; primarily plants for the ICBN). Therefore, if an animal taxon has the same name as a plant taxon, both names are valid. For example, the name "Erica" has been given to both a genus of spiders, "Erica" Peckham & Peckham, 1892, and to a genus of heaths, "
Erica " L.See also
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homonym
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