Synonymy
The existence of more than one name (synonym) for a taxon is not uncommon and can arise for a number of reasons:
- Due to the re-combination of a name.
We examine this in How to record a Parenthetic Author.
- Due to the recognition that two previously published species are actually the same, or that two names actually refer to the same species.
It is this latter case that we deal with here.
The two broad categories of synonymy are:
Synonymy |
Description |
---|---|
Homotypic / Objective |
Also known as objective or nomenclatural synonyms as the basis for recognizing synonymy is empirical (the same type specimen was used to define the species). Example In 1910 Wood described a new zoological species Gus hus Wood, 1910 and in 1950 Brown described Jus kus Brown, 1950. In 2004 another scientist realized that Brown had used the same Holotype In Taxonomy the definitive Type specimen on which a scientific name of a species is based. as Wood and that the two names refer to the same species. In this case:
Recording a homotypic or objective synonym
Homotypic or objective synonymy occurs when the same Holotype In Taxonomy the definitive Type specimen on which a scientific name of a species is based. was used to define two (or more) scientific names. Note: A re-combined name (when a species name is combined with a different genus name) is a special case of Homotypic synonymy and is dealt with in How to record a Parenthetic Author. In the following example:
For example:
In the record for the currently accepted name (Gus hus Wood, 1910 in this example):
If we now display the Jus kus record, we find that Currently Accepted?: (Currently Accepted Name) is automatically set to No and that Current Name: (Currently Accepted name) points to the Gus hus record: If we check the All Synonyms tab in Gus hus we find that Jus kus is added to the Synonyms List and identified as a Homotypic synonym: Tip: See below for an alternative method to record a synonyms. |
Heterotypic / Subjective |
Two or more synonyms are derived from different type specimens. Also known as subjective or taxonomic synonyms as the basis for recognizing synonymy is a matter of opinion. Example In 2002 Wood described a new zoological species Cus dus Wood, 2002 and in 2003 Brown described Vus wus Brown, 2003 (using different type specimens). In 2004 another scientist decided that these two names actually refer to the same species. In this case:
Recording a heterotypic or subjective synonym
Heterotypic or subjective synonymy occurs when different type specimens are used to define two (or more) scientific names. For example:
In Jus kus Brown, 1950 (the Junior synonym in this relationship because Gus hus Wood, 1910 was published first):
|
Note: Where names are synonymous (and by definition interchangeable), only one of the names is identified as the currently accepted name.
It is also possible to record a synonym using the All Synonyms tab in the record of the currently accepted name:
First ensure that the junior synonym is not recorded as being a currently accepted name (i.e. Currently Accepted?: (Currently Accepted Name) should be set to Unknown or No).
For example:
- In 1910 Wood identified a new zoological species which was called Gus hus Wood, 1910.
This was a currently accepted name:
On the Primary Citation tab this name is specified as the original name: Is Original Name?: (Original Name) is set to Yes.
- In 1950, and using a different Holotype In Taxonomy the definitive Type specimen on which a scientific name of a species is based. to Wood, Brown identified Jus kus Brown, 1950.
This too was a currently accepted name:
On the Primary Citation tab this name is specified as the original name: Is Original Name?: (Original Name) is set to Yes.
- In 2004 another scientist decided that though the type specimens were different these two names really refer to the same species. In this case:
- The currently accepted name would be Gus hus Wood, 1910 as it has Priority In Taxonomy, where two or more scientific names are synonyms, the Name that was published before the others is said to have Priority and is the Currently Accepted Name for a species..
- The scientific name Jus kus Brown, 1950 would remain exactly as it is - no re-combination has taken place - but it would be considered a heterotypic synonym of Gus hus Wood, 1910. This will be the junior synonym in this relationship.
In Jus kus Brown, 1950 (the Junior synonym in this relationship because Gus hus Wood, 1910 was published first):
- On the Primary Citation tab, check whether Is Original Name?: (Original Name) is set to Yes. If so, select Unknown from the drop list.
- On the Classification tab, select Unknown from the Currently Accepted?: (Currently Accepted Name) drop list.
- Click OK if a message similar to the following displays:
- Save the record.
- On the All Synonyms tab of Gus hus Wood, 1910, enter Jus kus Brown 1950 in the Name: (Details) field and click Attach (or press the TAB key).
Jus kus Brown, 1950 is added to the List and automatically identified as a Heterotypic synonym:
Note: If we were recording a homotypic relationship, we'd select Homotypic from the Kind of Synonym: (Details) Lookup List or we would have added Jus kus Brown, 1950 on the Homotypics tab.
- Save the record.
If we check the Jus kus Brown, 1950 record we find that Currently Accepted?: (Currently Accepted Name) is set to No and Current Name: (Currently Accepted name) points to Gus hus Wood, 1910: