When you hear biologists refer to organisms by using acronyms like "NLE" or "POR" that consists of the first letter of the Genus as well as the first and second letter of the species name. Is that right? Also, how do you right that?
Binomial nomenclature
Started by
Guest_pylodictis_*
, Feb 11 2011 04:03 PM
9 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 11 February 2011 - 07:28 PM
I'm not really sure what you're talking about with those acronyms. "LMB" is commonly used for largemouth bass. If you're listing multiple species of a genus, you can shorten the genus to one letter after the first species (as long as there are multiple genera with the same first letters), i.e. Notropis atherinoides, N. potteri, N. texanus, etc. The other acronyms like LMB, SMB, etc need to defined at their first use i.e. "Largemouth Bass (LMB)" or "Western Gulf Slope (WGS)." That last one isn't a species, but an acronym I've written about as much as any other.
Hope that kinda sorta answers your question.
Hope that kinda sorta answers your question.
Edited by rjmtx, 11 February 2011 - 07:50 PM.
#3
Guest_Dustin_*
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Posted 13 February 2011 - 08:27 AM
The DNR is SC has a three letter identification system for fish, as well as all the other animals and plants found in the state. THis system uses the common names though instead of the binomial to abbreviate. It is complex and not always logical. I'm not sure if this is standard practice in other states or not or if the system is universal. It makes keeping track of what you have in the field easier and faster.
#4
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Posted 13 February 2011 - 08:45 AM
The DNR is SC has a three letter identification system for fish, as well as all the other animals and plants found in the state. THis system uses the common names though instead of the binomial to abbreviate. It is complex and not always logical. I'm not sure if this is standard practice in other states or not or if the system is universal. It makes keeping track of what you have in the field easier and faster.
In Louisiana we use a number system for species that is probably more complex and illogical. When in the field, I just write down species names, and sort out the codes on a rainy day in the office.
#5
Guest_Newt_*
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Posted 13 February 2011 - 11:00 AM
A four-letter system similar to the one Dustin mentioned is widely used by birders. To answer your question, Pylodictis, binomial nomenclature refers to the "scientific" or Linneaean naming convention, with each species identified by a two word phrase (the binomial) including the genus name followed by the specific or trivial epithet. So, for example, Pylodictis olivaris is the binomial for the flathead catfish.
You may also see references to trinomials, which just means that some further subdivision beyond species is recognized (in animals, the only lower division is the subspecies, but it's more complicated with plants). If a species is divided into subspecies, one is designated the nominate subspecies and its subspecific epithet is the same as the specific epithet. Let's say you studied variation in the flathead and decided it should be divided into eastern and western subspecies. Then, you must determine which subspecies the type specimen belongs to, and that one will be the nominate subspecies, Pylodictis olivaris olivaris. Then you must choose a different name to apply to the remaining subspecies.
You may also see references to trinomials, which just means that some further subdivision beyond species is recognized (in animals, the only lower division is the subspecies, but it's more complicated with plants). If a species is divided into subspecies, one is designated the nominate subspecies and its subspecific epithet is the same as the specific epithet. Let's say you studied variation in the flathead and decided it should be divided into eastern and western subspecies. Then, you must determine which subspecies the type specimen belongs to, and that one will be the nominate subspecies, Pylodictis olivaris olivaris. Then you must choose a different name to apply to the remaining subspecies.
#6
Guest_fundulus_*
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Posted 13 February 2011 - 11:07 AM
I've never seen any such coding system in Alabama. Mercifully, all anyone wants is a binomial, which gets back to the reason the system was invented and used in the first place: everyone KNOWS what you mean by Notropis telescopus, etc.
#7
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Posted 13 February 2011 - 11:32 AM
I'll admit it's useful to have a shorthand in the field when you're taking notes. I do a lot of herp inventory and monitoring work, and the time savings of writing down ATAL and NVIR rather than Ambystoma talpoideum and Notophthalmus viridescens adds up when you're working with dozens or even hundreds of specimens from a single site.
#8
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Posted 13 February 2011 - 01:40 PM
USGS has used a for letter code based of the binomial for mussels for years, but primarily for field data sheets. For example Pleurbema sintoxia would be PLSI, Quadrula quadrula would be QUQU, etc. There has to be some alteration for some parts of the county where you have multiple members of the same genus present, especially Lampsilis spp. because there could be many LACA's.
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