Binomial Nomenclature or Binary Nomenclature in Biology

What is Binomial Nomenclature or Binomial Distribution?

Binomial Distribution or Binomial Nomenclature is a formal system of naming living species; by giving a unique name composed of two parts. Both of these parts use Latin grammatical forms. Although; they can be based on words belongs to other languages. Such a name is called a binomial name, a binomen, r a scientific name. It is also called a Latin name

The first part of this unique name identifies the genus to which the species belongs, and the second part is the specific epithet or specific name. This specific name identifies the species within the genus.
For example, human beings belong to genus Homo and within this genus to the species Homo sapiens.

Who developed the system of Binomial Nomenclature?

A Swedish botanist, Carolus Linnaeus (1707 — 1778) formed a system for the naming of organisms. It is called binomial nomenclature. His system is used today internationally. He discarded the common names of the plants and gave each plant a scientific name.

He used Latin words for these scientific names. Linnaeus published the list of names of plants in 1753. His system became popular. Later, he used this system for the naming of animals.

He published the list of names of animals in 1758. Linnaeus’s system of giving each species a scientific name comprising two words is known as binomial nomenclature.

• The first name is of the genus (pl. genera). It is called a generic name. It always begins with a capital letter.
• The second name is of species name. It follows the generic name. It begins with a small letter. These names are given on the basis of some characteristics of the organism or person who collects it. Many of his names are used today.

Scientific Names (Binomial Nomenclature)

Some of the rules are universally adopted while suggested and documenting scientific names are:

• Scientific names are usually printed in italics, such as Homo sapiens. When handwritten they are underlined.
• The first term (generic name) always begins with a capital letter, while the species name is never capitalized (even when derived from a proper name).
• The scientific name is generally written in full when it is first used. But when several species from the same genus are being listed, it may then be abbreviated by just an initial for the genus; for example, Escherichia coli becomes coli.

What are Binomial Nomenclature Examples Importance?

The scientific names of:

• Onion: Allium cepa.
• Amaltas: Cassia fistula.
• Man: Homo sapiens.
• Potato: Solanum tuberosum.
• Tomato: Solanum esculentum.

Every species has only one scientific name all over the world. Initially, this classification was based on appearance or morphology. Later, there was an advancement in the knowledge of cytology, physiology, genetics, and molecular biology. So the classification of the organisms has been modified.

The name ‘blackbird’ is used for crow as well as for ‘raven’.Common names have no scientific basis.
For example; A fish is a vertebrate animal with fins and gills. But several common names of ‘silverfish’, ‘Crayfish’, ‘jellyfish’, and ‘starfish’ do not fit the biologist’s definition of a fish.

To avoid all these confusions, organisms are given scientific names by using binomial nomenclature. The values of this system are due to its widespread use and the stability of its names.

In binomial nomenclature, every species can be unambiguously identified with just two words. Some names can be used all over the words, in the languages, avoiding difficulties of translation.

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Background/History of Binomial Nomenclature

Nomenclature is combined to classification as it deals with the real name to be applied to a known taxonomy. It is better to use scientific names rather than that of vernacular or common names. Now a day; no two genera could have the same generic name. Also, no two species within a given genus; could have the same specific name.

In biological history; there are various examples of different nomenclatural codes. These codes are simultaneously prepared and followed by different organizations. However; such a process became less common. To achieve universality and stability in the name of animals; “The Stickland Code” (also known as First Zoological Code) was developed in 1842. It is developed by a commission that included Water house, Darwin, Westwood, and Hanslow. However; a truly cultured set of rules was not accepted until 1898.

You should know that the first code for Botany was presented by Augustin de Candolle in 1813. In 1947; the first International code in Bacteriology was accepted. Similarly, recognition of universally viral nomenclature was indicated by the virus-subcommittee firstly. The virus-subcommittee of the International Commission on Bacteriology was established in 1951. Since the first statement on nomenclature and classification of viruses was published in 1971.

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The Virological Codes are most recent these days. Virological Codes subject to considerable amendment before being finalized. The Botanical nomenclature and Zoological nomenclature are independent of each other. Every attempt should be made to avoid the introduction of those generic names in Botany; which are already in use in Zoology. The experimental or scientific names of animals from sub-genera and above are always uninominal. The names of these species are binomial and those of sub-species are always trinomial.

The Universal Code for Zoological Nomenclature also brings out some serious declaration. It is declared that the committee or commission is allowed to implement the arrangement for the modifications of the universal code. The formal indexes of invalid and rejected names and the official tests of confirmed names are approved ones. Although; published by the trust independently; they are considered to be essential parts of the Universal Zoological Code.

Important Rules of Binomial Nomenclature

• The first name is a generic name which is the name of the genus.
• The second name is the name of species, i.e. specific name.
• Genus name is written by a capital letter.
• The species name is written by a small letter.
• Both names should be underlined or should be written in italic form.

Significance of Binomial Nomenclature

Why is binomial nomenclature important?
There are three reasons for giving a scientific name to organisms:

• Different names for the same Organism

Different people gave different names to the same organism in the past time. There was no system of giving names to the organisms. Different regions had different names of the same organism.
For example amaltas, argvad, gurmala, golden shower, and purging cassia are different common names of the same plant.

• Same name for different organisms

In some cases, a single name is given to several different plants and animals. For example:

1. Dozens of plants with bell-shaped flowers are named ‘bluebell’.
2. The name ‘blackbird’ is given to the crow and raven.

• Common name without scientific basis

Common name has no scientific basis. Fish is a vertebrate animal. It has backbone, fins, and gills. Silverfish (an insect), crayfish, jellyfish, and starfish do not have these characters. So they cannot be placed in fishes.

Advantages of Binomial Nomenclature (Scientific Names)

The binomial nomenclature or scientific name has a number of advantages over the everyday and common names.

• Well Organized & Classified

The organism can be smoothly or easily categorized. This genuinely helps to make it easier and straight-forward to understand the characteristics of a specific organism or creature in an organized chart.

• Clarity and Precision

These names are always unique with each organism or creature having only one scientific name. It helps avoid confusion or turbulence created by the common names.

• Universal Recognition

Scientific names are accepted and standardized universally. However; popular or common name changes with area location or language. These names are always the same among the scientific people all over the Globe.

• Stability

The Scientific Names are maintained even if the species are shifted to the other genera; based on new observations & knowledge.  Using scientific names; different characteristics or properties of the organism or species can be obtained.

• Interspecific relationship

Binomial or Scientific terms help understand the differences & similarities between different species or organisms belonging to the same genera. It is useful in establishing a relation between the two species.

• A lesser or minor error in communication regarding the knowledge or studies of any organism because these names are unique to it and the same all over the globe.
• The scientific name’s big advantage is its exactness.
• The scientific Name or Binomial Name is regulated by The International Code of Binomial Nomenclature.

Disadvantages of Binomial Nomenclature (Scientific Names)

• The versatility of binomial names is limited by the fact that their classification is not fixed in size. A taxon may have a changing circumscription.
• The class of a particular binomial name is quite limited according to some community and really big according to other communities. This will depend on the taxonomic system or taxonomic point of view.
• Some binomial names refer to groups or communities that are very stable (e.g. Magnoliaceae, Equisetaceae). Although, for others names; a careful and mindful check is needed to see which limitation is being used (e.g. Scrophulariaceae, Fabaceae).
• Latin words or names are also difficult to memorize. For these logics, some government agencies and organizations are trying to create a list of some official names based on the official language or native of the country.
• They are lengthy and very hard to learn.
• To normal people, they are unknown in Latinized Greek meaningless or Latin language.

List of Common and Scientific Names of Plants

This appendix contains a fine list of the scientific and common names of plant species. These names are mentioned in the content/text of the EIS.

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Grasses and Grass-like Plants

Common Name	Scientific Name
Alkali Sacaton	Sporobolus airoides
Barley, Foxtail	Hordeum jubatum
Bluegrass	Poa spp.
Bluegrass, Alkali	Poa juncifolia
Bluegrass, Kentucky	Poa pretensis
Bluegrass, Nevada	Poa nevadensis
Bluegrass, Sandberg’s	Poa secunda
Brome, Downy	Bromus tectorum
Brome, Mountain	Bromus carinatus
Brome, Red	Bromus rubens
Cheatgrass	Bromus tectorum
Cordgrass, Alkali	Spartina gracilis
Fescue, Idaho	Festuca idahoensis
Grama, Blue	Bouteloua gracilis
Hairgrass, Tufted	Deschampsia cespitosa
Muhly Grass	Muhlenbergia capillaris
Muttongrass	Poa fendleriana
Needle-and-thread	Hesperostipa comata
Needlegrass, Columbia	Achnatherum nelsonii
Needlegrass, Letterman’s	Achnatherum lettermanii
Needlegrass, Thurber’s	Achnatherum thurberianum
Needlegrass, Western	Achnatherum occidentale
Quackgrass	Elymus repens
Redtop	Agrostis gigantea
Ricegrass, Indian	Achnatherum hymenoides
Rush, Baltic	Juncus balticus
Rush, Spike	Eleocharis spp.
Saltgrass	Distichlis spicata
Saltgrass, Inland	Distichlis spicata
Sedge, Clustered Field	Carex praegracilis
Sedge, Nebraska	Carex nebrascensis
Sedge, Water-loving	Carex aquatilis
Squirreltail	Elymus spp.
Squirreltail, Bottlebrush	Elymus elymoides
Timothy, Alpine	Phleum alpinum
Wheatgrass, Bluebunch	Pseudoroegneria spicata
Wheatgrass, Crested	Agropyron cristatum
Wheatgrass, Slender	Elymus trachycaulus
Wheatgrass, Western	Pascopyrum smithii
Wildrye, Basin	Leymus cinereus

Forbs and Nonvascular Plants

Common Name	Scientific Name
Balsamroot	Balsamorhiza spp.
Bassia, Fivehook	Bassia hyssopifolia
Buckwheat, Beatley	Eriogonum beatleyae
Bulrush	Scirpus spp.
Cat-tail	Typha latifolia
Cinquefoil	Potentilla spp.
Clover, Sierra	Trifolium sp.
Cress, Hoary	Cardaria draba
Eriogonum	Eriogonum spp.
Forage Kochia	Bassia prostrata
Goldenweed	Haplopappus acaulis
Halogeton	Halogeton glomeratus
Hawksbeard	Crepis spp.
Iris, Wild	Iris missouriensis
Knapweed, Russian	Acroptilon repens
Knapweed, Spotted	Centaurea stoebe
Lahontan Beardtongue	Penstemon palmeri
Least Phacellia	Phacelia minutissima
Locoweed	Oxytropis lambertii
Lupine	Lupine spp.
Milkvetch, One-leaflet Torrey	Astragalus calycosus
Mint	Mentha spp.
Mustard, Tansy	Descurainia pinnata
Mustard, Wild	Sinapis arvensis
Nevada Willowherb	Epilobium nevadense
Onion	Allium sp.
Paintbrush, Monte Neva	Castilleja salsuginosa
Penstemon	Penstemon spp.
Phlox	Phlox spp.
Pickleweed	Salicornia sp.
Puncturevine	Tribulus terrestris
Ragwort, Tansy	Senecio jacobaea
Reedgrass	Calamagrostis spp.
Scarlet Globe-mallow	Sphaeralcea coccinea
Seepweed	Suaeda intermedia
Snakeweed	Gutierrezia spp.
Snakeweed, Broom	Gutierrezia sarothrae
Sorrel	Rumex acetosa
Spikerush	Elocharis spp.
Spurge, Leafy	Euphorbia esula
St. Johnswort, Common	Hypericum perforatum
Thistle, Bull	Cirsium vulgare
Thistle, Canada	Cirsium arvense
Thistle, Musk	Carduus nutans
Thistle, Russian	Salsola tragus
Thistle, Scotch	Onopordum acanthium
Watercress	Nasturtium officinale
Whitetop, Tall	Lepidium latifolium
Yarrow	Achillea spp.

Shrubs and Trees

Common Name	Scientific Name
Aspen, Quaking	Populus tremuloides
Bitterbrush, Antelope	Purshia tridentata
Bud Sagebrush	Picrothamnus desertorum
Ceanothus	Ceanothus sp.
Chokecherry	Prunus virginiana
Cottonwood, Black	Populus balsamifera var. trichocarpa
Fir, White	Abies concolor
Gooseberry	Ribes spp.
Greasewood	Sarcobatus spp.
Greasewood, Black	Sarcobatus vermiculatus
Greenstem Paperflower	Psilostrophe sparsiflora
Hemlock, Poison	Conium maculatum
Hopsage	Grayia spp.
Hopsage, Spiny	Grayia spinosa
Horsebrush, Littleleaf	Tetradymia glabrata
Iodine Bush	Allenrolfea occidentalis
Juniper, Utah	Juniperus osteosperma
Mahogany, Cur-leaf Mountain	Cercocarpus ledifolius
Manzanita	Arctostaphylos spp.
Mormon Tea	Ephedra spp.
Nevada Ephedra	Ephedra nevadensis
Pine, Limber	Pinus flexilis
Pinyon, Singleleaf	Pinus monophylla
Poison hemlock	Conium maculatum
Rabbitbrush	Chrysothamnus spp. and Ericameria spp.
Rabbitbrush, Douglas’	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus
Rabbitbrush, Rubber	Chrysothamnus nauseosus
Rose, Wild	Rosa spp.
Sage, Mediterranean	Salvia aethiopis
Sagebrush	Artemisia spp.
Sagebrush, Basin Big	Artemesia tridentata tridentata
Sagebrush, Big	Artemisia tridentata
Sagebrush, Black	Artemisia nova
Sagebrush, Low	Artemisia arbuscula
Sagebrush, Mountain big	Artemesia tridentata ssp vaseyana
Sagebrush, Wyoming big	Artemesia tridentata spp. whyomingensis
Saltbush	Atriplex spp.
Saltbush, Four-wing	Atriplex canescens
Saltcedar (tamarisk)	Tamarix ramosissima
Serviceberry	Amelanchier utahensis
Shadscale	Atriplex confertifolia
Snowberry	Symphoricarpos albus
Willow	Salix spp.
Willow, Arroyo	Salix lasiolepis
Willow, Narrow-leaf	Salix exigua
Willow, Rock	Salix vestita
Winterfat	Krascheninnikovia lanata

List of Common and Scientific Names of Invertebrates

This appendix contains a fine list of the scientific and common names of invertebrate species. These names are mentioned in the content/text of the EIS.

Common Name	Scientific Name
Beetle	Coleoptera
Caddisfly	Trichoptera
Fly	Diptera
Leach	Hirdinea
Mayfly	Ephemeroptera
Snail	Gastropoda
Springsnail	Pyrgulopsis spp.
Stonefly	Plecoptera
True Bug	Hemiptera

List of Common and Scientific Names of Fish

This appendix contains a fine list of the scientific and common names of fish species. These names are mentioned in the content/text of the EIS.

Common Name	Scientific Name
Chub, Newark Valley Tui	Siphateles bicolor newarkensis
Chub, Tui	Gila spp.
Dace, Monitor Valley Speckled	Rhinichthys osculus spp.
Dace, Speckled	Rhinichthys osculus
Shiner, Redside	Cyprinella lutrensis
Sucker, Mountain	Catostomus platyrhynchos
Sucker, Tahoe	Catostomus tahoensis
Trout, Brook	Salvelinus frontinalis
Trout, Brown	Salmo trutta
Trout, Rainbow	Oncorhynchus myliss

List of Common and Scientific Names of Reptiles & Amphibians

This appendix contains a fine list of the scientific and common names of reptiles and amphibians species. These names are mentioned in the content/text of the EIS.

Common Name	Scientific Name
Boa, Rubber	Charina bottae
Coachwhip	Masticophis flagellum
Frog, Columbia Spotted	Rana luteiventris
Frog, Northern Leopard	Lithobates pipiens
Lizard, Great Basin Collared	Crotaphytus bicinctores
Lizard, Greater Short-horned	Phrynosoma douglasii
Lizard, Long-nosed Leopard	Gambelia wislizenii
Lizard, Sagebrush	Sceloporus graciosus
Lizard, Western Fence	Sceloporus occidentalis
Rattlesnake, Western	Crotalus oreagnus
Snake, Long-nosed	Rhinocheilus lecontei
Snake, Ringneck	Diadophis punctatus
Toad, Great Basin Spadefoot	Spea intermontana
Toad, Western	Anaxyrus boreas
Whipsnake, Striped	Masticophis taeniatus ornatus

List of Common and Scientific Names of Birds

This appendix contains a fine list of the scientific and common names of bird species. These names are mentioned in the content/text of the EIS.

Common Name	Scientific Name
American Bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius
American Robin	Turdus americanus
Black Rosy-finch	Leucosticte atrata
Bluebird, Mountain	Sialia currucoides
Bluebird, Western	Sialia mexicana
Chickadee, Mountain	Poecile gambeli
Cuckoo, Yellow-billed	Coccyzus americanus
Dove, Mourning	Zenaida macroura
Eagle, Bald	Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Eagle, Golden	Aquila chrysaetos
Falcon, Prairie	Falco mexicanus
Falcon, Peregrine	Falco peregrinus
Finch, Cassin’s	Haemorhous cassinii
Flicker, Northern	Colaptes auratus
Flycatcher, Gray	Empidonax wrightii
Flycatcher, Willow	Empidonax traillii
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray	Polioptila caerulea
Goose, Canada	Branta canadensis
Goose, Snow	Chen hyperborea
Hawk, Cooper’s	Accipiter cooperi
Hawk, Ferruginous	Buteo regalis
Hawk, Red-tailed	Buteo jamaicensis
Hawk, Rough-legged	Buteo lagopus
Hawk, Sharp-shinned	Accipiter striatus
Hawk, Swainson’s	Buteo swainsoni
Heron, Black-crowned Night	Nycticorax nycticorax
Heron, Great Blue	Ardea herodias
Jay, Pinyon	Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
Jay, Western Scrub	Apelocoma californica
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos
Meadowlark, Western	Sturnella neglecta
Merlin	Falco columbarius
Nighthawk, Common	Chordeiles minor
Northern Coot	Fulica americana
Northern Goshawk	Accipiter gentilis
Northern Harrier	Circus cyaneus
Nuthatch, Red-breasted	Sitta canadensis
Owl, Barn	Tyto alba
Owl, Flammulated	Otus flammeolus
Owl, Great Horned	Bubo virginianus
Owl, Long-eared	Asio otus
Owl, Northern Pygmy	Glaucidium gnoma
Owl, Northern Saw-whet	Aegolius acadicus
Owl, Short-eared	Asio flammeus
Owl, Western Burrowing	Athene cunicularia
Partridge, Chukar	Alectoris graeca
Quail, Mountain	Oreortyx pictus
Raven, Common	Corvus corax
Robin, American	Turdus americanus
Sage-grouse, Greater	Certrocercus urophasianus
Screech-owl, Western	Otus asio
Shrike, Loggerhead	Lanius ludovicianus
Solitaire, Townsend’s	Myadestes townsendi
Sora	Porzana carolina
Sparrow, Black-throated	Amphispiza bilineata
Sparrow, Brewer’s	Spizella breweri
Sparrow, Lark	Chondestes grammacus
Sparrow, Sage	Amphispiza belli
Swan, Tundra	Cygnus columbianus
Thrasher, Sage	Oreoscoptes montanus
Titmouse, Juniper	Baeolophus ridgwayi
Towhee, Green-tailed	Pipilo chlorurus
Vulture, Turkey	Cathartes aura
Warbler, Black-throated Gray	Setophaga nigrescens
Warbler, Macgillvray’s	Geothlypis tolmiei
Warbler, Orange-crowned	Oreothlypis celata
Warbler, Virginia’s	Vermivora virginiae
Waxwing, Cedar	Bombycilla cedrorum
Woodpecker, Lewis’	Melanerpes lewis

List of Common and Scientific Names of Mammals

This appendix contains a fine list of the scientific and common names of mammals species. These names are mentioned in the content/text of the EIS.

Common Name	Scientific Name
Antelope, Pronghorn	Antilocapra americana
Bat, Little Brown	Myotis lucifugus
Bat, Silver-haired	Lasionycteris noctivagans
Bat, Townsend’s Big-eared	Corynorhinus townsendii
Cottontail, Mountain	Sylvilagus nuttallii
Cougar	Puma concolor
Cow, Domestic	Bos primigenius taurus
Coyote	Canis latrans
Deer, Mule	Odocoileus hemionus
Horse	Equus ferus caballus
Jackrabbit, Black-tailed	Lepus californicus
Marmot, Hoary	Marmota caligata
Mouse, Dark Kangaroo	Microdipodops megacephalus
Mouse, Deer	Peromyscus maniculatus
Mouse, Pinyon	Peromyscus truei
Myotis, California	Myotis californicus
Fringed, Myotis	Myotis thysanodes
Myotis, Hoary	Lasiurus cinereus
Myotis, Long-eared	Myotis evotis
Long-legged, Myotis	Myotis volans
Western Small-footed, Myotis	Myotis ciliolabrum
Pipistrelle, Western	Parastrellus hesperus
Porcupine	Erethizon dorsatum
Rabbit, Pygmy	Brachylagus idahoensis
Rat, Desert Kangaroo	Dipodomys deserti
Rat, Ord’s Kangaroo	Dipodomys ordii
Sheep, Bighorn	Ovis canadensis
Sheep, Domestic	Ovis aries
Shrew, Montane	Sorex monticolus
Vole, Sagebrush	Lemmiscus curtatus
Woodrat, Bushy-tailed	Neotoma cinerea