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The International Code of botanical nomenclature refers to the rules and recommendations associated with the scientific naming of formal names given to the plants. According to the ICBN, each taxonomic group of plants should have only one correct name, which is accepted worldwide. This ensures that the study and identification of those plants may become easier and more efficient.
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The international botanical congress, supported by the international association for plant taxonomy, has the charge over ICBN. They have the power to change it according to the requirements. This botanical nomenclature is completely independent of bacteriological and zoological nomenclature.
The ICBN includes cyanobacteria, fungi, oomycetes, moulds, chytrids, photosynthetic protists, and other plants. There are three departments of ICBN, principles, rules, and provisions. They are essential for the governance of the code.
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PRINCIPLES OF BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE
There are six principles of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. They are as follows:
- Botanical nomenclature is completely independent of bacteriological and zoological nomenclature.
According to this principle, the code names the taxonomic groups that are treated as plants or those that belong to that taxonomy. It is not responsible for naming bacteria or any animal as they have separate codes for the purpose.
- The application of the names of the given taxonomic groups is determined via the type of nomenclature.
The second principle explains that the nomenclature type relates to the meaning of a name. In a hypothetical situation, if there is any wondering what kind of plant is meant by the author by the name, it is advised to examine the type specimen. Thus, the name must be included as its type specimen, regardless of the situation.
Note: There are various kinds of type specimens, but the ones with major importance are holotypes, neotypes, leukocytes, and epitopes.
- The nomenclature of taxonomic groups is based on the priority of publication.
According to the third principle, when a taxonomic group gets two or more names for any reason, the first name that has been legitimately published after proving its validity is designated as the correct one.
- Each taxonomic group with a particular position, circumscription, and rank is allowed to bear just one correct name by the rules, except in some specified cases.
According to the uniqueness principle, only one name for a given taxonomic group is correct, and this needs to be followed worldwide.
- The scientific names of all taxonomic groups are treated as Latin with no regard to their derivation.
The self-explanatory statement throws light on the fact that all taxonomic groups will be treated as Latin as their scientific names.
- The rules of the nomenclature are retroactive unless they are expressly limited.
The retroactivity principle states that all the proposals to change the code are published in Taxon. However, they are considered proposals until they vote at the next International Botanical Congress.
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RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ICBN
Rule 1: The ICBN suggests the series of ranks and names in the hierarchical categories. These ranks are designated in the descending order as Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
Rule 2: The second rule states that the names must be established concerning the nomenclature type. It is classified in a single specimen or the plants on one herbarium sheet. It is to be noted that the type specimen is of various types, including holotype, lectotype, neotype, Syntype, isotype, and paratype.
Rule 3: This rule throws light on the fact that priority is given to the date of publication of the name. It also ensures that the name is legitimate and is approved and valid by the principal rules of the international code of botanical nomenclature.
Rule 4: During the publishing of the name, it must be ensured that the name of the taxa meets the code requirements. It should be published in a recognized journal rather than a local magazine or newspaper. The name should have a Latin description, and it must be under the code’s guidelines.
Rule 5: According to article no. 46, it is required for the author’s name to be published with the name of the taxonomic group. If a single author is responsible for the naming, it falls under the single author citation. In contrast, if more than one author is involved in the naming, it falls under double author citation.
Rule 6: Some names do not follow the rule of ICBN, but they are still used for identification purposes based on the fact that they have been used for a long time.
Rule 7: During the naming, the priority for publishing the name will be given to the one who will publish earlier. It is to be noted that only one name can be accepted for a particular taxon.
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CONCLUSION
The intent of the international code of botanical nomenclature has always been dependent on the fact a single taxonomic name is accepted and used for identification all over the world regardless of any situation. There are various principles, rules, and regulations which ensure that the need to study various plant species and others belonging to the taxa is being made easier by this wide acceptance. All the steps are thus taken under the governance of the code.
