Synonym (taxonomy)

Synonyms in taxonomy are similar to normal synonyms, there are two (or more than two) names for the same thing in a scientific classification. For example, the cat has a few scientific names in: Felis silvestris catus, Felis catus, and Felis catus domestica.

In botany, the word "synonym" has a special meaning. There is one "correct name", and the other names are synonyms. For example, Daemonorops draco is the correct name of a species of palm trees, and Calamus draco is a synonym for the same species.

In zoology, there is one "valid name" and the others are "junior synonyms".

Bibliography

• International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (1999), International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (4th ed.), The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature,

      , http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted-sites/iczn/code/index.jsp, retrieved 2011-10-21 

• McNeill, J.; Barrie, F. R.; Buck, W. R. et al., eds. (2012), International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Melbourne Code), Adopted by the Eighteenth International Botanical Congress Melbourne, Australia, July 2011 (electronic ed.), Bratislava: International Association for Plant Taxonomy, http://www.iapt-taxon.org/nomen/main.php, retrieved 2012-12-20