Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Type: Article
Published: 2022-12-20
Page range: 108–114
Abstract views: 656
PDF downloaded: 5

A good practice: why we should suggest vernacular names for new plant species

Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Biologia, Av. dos Portugueses 1966, Bacanga, 65080-805, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Centro de Educação, Ciências Exatas e Naturais, Herbário Rosa Mochel-SLUI, Cidade Universitária Paulo VI s/n, 65054-970, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
Folk taxonomy ICN indigenous nomenclature traditional peoples

Abstract

Here we discuss the importance of vernacular names and encourage authors of new plant species to propose “suggested vernacular names” along with the new species description in cases that there are no vernacular names known. It is not our intention to propose new rules, but we provide recommendations to ensure inclusion of local peoples and dissemination of scientific knowledge when suggesting a vernacular name. We believe that the suggestion of vernacular names in the original publication of a new species would help in [1] minimizing proliferation of common names in the same language when knowledge on the species becomes widely publicized; [2] communicating with lay audience inside and outside the country, where linguistic variations could be applied, but starting from a reference, i.e., the taxonomist’s suggestion; [3] disseminating important information about the new species and the work of the taxonomist; [4] raising awareness about the conservation of the species and its habitat, when the image of this species is widely linked to non-academic media; and [5] promoting inclusion in and popularization of science.

References

  1. Anonymous [International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature] (1999) International code of zoological nomenclature. 4th edition. London (The International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature & The Natural History Museum): i–xxix + 1–306. <https://www.iczn.org/the-code/the-code-online/>.

  2. Anonymous [International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature] (2012) Amendment of Articles 8, 9, 10, 21 and 78 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature to expand and refine methods of publication. Zookeys, 219: 1–10. <https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.219.3944>.

  3. Anonymous [International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature] (2017) Declaration 45—Addition of Recommendations to Article 73 and of the term “specimen, preserved” to the glossary. Bulletin of zoological Nomenclature, 73 (2‒4): 96–97. <https://doi.org/10.21805/bzn.v73i2.a2>.

  4. Anonymous [Bori Agency] (2022) Nova espécie de planta descoberta na Amazônia já está ameaçada de extinção. Bori Agência. <https://abori.com.br/botanica/nova-especie-de-planta-descoberta-na-amazonia-ja-esta-ameacada-de-extincao/>. [Accessed on 8 April 2022].

  5. Barinova, A. (2022) Found a unique plant in Brazil. It has already disappeared. National Geographic. <https://nat-geo.ru/nature/plants/v-brazilii-nashli-unikalnoe-rastenie-ono-uzhe-stalo-ischezayushim/>. [Accessed on 8 April 2022].

  6. Bencke, G. A. & Souza, F. J. (2013) Upland goose Chloephaga picta (Anseriformes, Anatidae): first brazilian record. Revista brasileira de Ornitologia, 21: 292–294. <http://www.revbrasilornitol.com.br/BJO/article/view/5403/0>.

  7. Bernis, F. (1995) Diccionario de nombres vernaculos de aves. Madrid (Editorial Gredos): 1–232.

  8. Carvalho, T. R., Giaretta, A. A., Ângulo, A., Haddad, C. F. B. & Peloso, P. L. V. (2019) A new amazonian species of Adenomera (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from the brazilian state of Pará: a tody-tyrant voice in a frog. American Museum Novitates, 3919: 1–21. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1206/3919.1>.

  9. Conant, R., Cagle, F. R., Goin, C. J., Lowe Jr., C. H., Neill, W. T., Netting, M. G., Schmidt, K. P., Shaw, C. E., Stebbins, R. C. & Bogert, C. M. (1956) Common names for North American amphibians and reptiles. Copeia, 1956 (3): 172–185. <https://www.jstor.org/stable/1439632>.

  10. Crother, B. I. (2017) Scientific and standard English names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 8th Edition. Herpetological Circular, Salt Lake City (Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles), 43: 1‒102.

  11. De Candolle, A. L. (1867) Lois de la nomenclature botanique adoptées par le congrès international de botanique. Paris (Masson): 1–60. <https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.139042>.

  12. Devillers, P. & Ouellet, H. (1993) Noms français des oiseaux du monde avec les équivalents latins et anglais. Sainte-Foy, Quebec (Éditions MultiMondes) and Bayonne, France (Chabaud): i‒xv + 1–452.

  13. Demarchi, L. O., Piedade, M. T. F. & Marinho, L. C. (2021) Tovomita cornuta (Clusiaceae): a new and threatened species from the amazonian campinaranas revealed by ecological field research. Acta botanica brasilica, 35: 554–561. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0102-33062020abb0483>.

  14. Dillon, S. J. & Markey, A. S. (2016) Dysphania congestiflora (Chenopodiaceae), a new species from Western Australia. Nuytsia, 27: 133–138. <https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/nuytsia/article/793>.

  15. Dubois, A., Ohler, A. & Pyron, A. (2021) New concepts and methods for phylogenetic taxonomy and nomenclature in zoology, exemplified by a new ranked cladonomy of recent amphibians (Lissamphibia). Megataxa, 5: 1–738. < https://doi.org/10.11646/megataxa.5.1.1>.

  16. Ellis, J. (1768) A new sensitive plant discovered. The London Magazine, 37: 522–524.

  17. Gill, F. & Wright, M. (2006) Birds of the world: recommended English names. Princeton (Princeton University Press): 1‒256.

  18. Gillman, L. N. & Wright, S. D. (2020) Restoring indigenous names in taxonomy. Communications Biology, 3 (1) [609]: 1‒3. <https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01344-y>.

  19. Gillman, L. N. & Wright, S. D. (2021) A reply to ‘Science versus vernacular’: should some taxa of animals and plants be renamed according to ‘indigenous’ practices? Bionomina, 25: 93–97. <https://doi.org/10.11646/bionomina.25.1.8>.

  20. Jones, D. R. & Eversole, A. G. (2015) Two new crayfishes of the genus Cambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from Northern Alabama and South Central Tennessee, U.S.A. Zootaxa, 4058: 151–174. <http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4058.2.1>.

  21. Kelsey, H. P. (1917) Official code of standardized plants names. Harrisburg (J. Horace McFarland Company): 1–44. <https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924000617427>.

  22. Knapp, S., Vorontsova, M. S. & Turland, N. J. (2020) Indigenous species names in Algae, Fungi and Plants: a comment on Gillman & Wright (2020). Taxon, 69: 1409–1410. <https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.12411>.

  23. Le Cointe, P. (1947) Amazônia brasileira III: árvores e plantas úteis (indígenas e aclimatadas). 2e ed. Brasiliana Biblioteca pedagogica brasileira, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Bahia, Para & Porto Alegre (Companhia editora Nacional), (5), 251: 1–506, 18 pl. <http://bdor.sibi.ufrj.br/handle/doc/337>.

  24. Lima, K. (2022) Especialista em botânica da UFMA participa de grupo que descobriu nova espécie de planta típica da flora brasileira da região amazônica. Universidade Federal do Maranhão. <https://portalpadrao.ufma.br/site/noticias/especialista-em-botanica-da-ufma-participa-de-grupo-que-descobriu-nova-especie-de-planta-tipica-da-flora-brasileira-na-regiao-amazonica>. [Accessed on 8 April 2022].

  25. Liner, E. A. & Casas-Andreu, G. (2008) Standard Spanish, English and scientific names of the amphibians and reptiles of Mexico. Second edition. Herpetological Circular, Salt Lake City (Society for the Study Amphibians and Reptiles), 38: 1–162.

  26. Markey, A. S. (2018) By their fruit you will recognise them: species notes and typifications in Western Australian species of Opercularia (Rubiaceae: Anthosperminae). Nuytsia, 29: 119–140. <https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/nuytsia/article/866>.

  27. Mathieu, D., Durécu, M., Mercier, D., Mathez, J. & Chauvet M. (2015) Guide de nomenclature des noms normalisés en français pour les plantes Trachéophytes de France métropolitaine. Journal de Botanique de la Société botanique de France, 70: 1–5. <https://www.tela-botanica.org/actu/IMG/Guide_NFN.pdf>.

  28. Mezzonato-Pires, A. C., Ribeiro, R. S. & Gonella, P. M. (2021) Maracujá on the rocks: a new Passiflora species (Passifloraceae sensu stricto) from the rupicolous ecosystems of the brazilian atlantic rainforest. Willdenowia, 51: 371–381. <http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.51.51305>.

  29. Min, M. S., Yang, S. Y., Bonett, R. M., Vieites, D. R., Brandon, R. A. & Wake, D. B. (2005) Discovery of the first Asian plethodontid salamander. Nature, 435: 87–90. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature03474>.

  30. Palma, R. L. & Heath, A. C. (2021) Science versus vernacular: should some taxa of animals and plants be renamed according to ‘indigenous’ practices? Bionomina, 22: 1‒7. <https://doi.org/10.11646/bionomina.22.1.1>.

  31. Peixoto, R. (2022) Pesquisadores descobrem planta nativa da Amazônia que já está ameaçada de extinção. G1 Meio Ambiente. <https://g1.globo.com/meio-ambiente/noticia/2022/02/16/pesquisadores-descobrem-planta-nativa-da-amazonia-que-ja-esta-ameacada-de-extincao.ghtml>. [Accessed on 8 April 2022].

  32. Purkayastha, J., Das, M., Mondal, K., Mitra, S., Chaudhuri, A. & Das, I. (2019) A new species of Polypedates Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from West Bengal state, eastern India. Zootaxa, 4691: 525–540. <http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4691.5.6>.

  33. Robin, V. V., Vishnudas, C. K., Gupta, P., Rheindt, F. E., Hooper, D. M., Ramakrishnan, U. & Reddy, S. (2017) Two new genera of songbirds represent endemic radiations from the Shola Sky islands of the Western Ghats, India. BMC evolutionary Biology, 17 (31): 1‒14. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12862-017-0882-6>.

  34. Ryden, M. (1997) Towards a standardization of the official Swedish plant nomenclature in the 20th century: the names of orchids. Stockholm Studies in modern Philology, 11: 215–231.

  35. Salvador, R. B. (2021) A new species of Solaropsis Beck, 1837 (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Solaropsidae) from the Brazilian Amazon. Folia malacologica, 29: 178–185. <http://dx.doi.org/10.12657/folmal.029.021>.

  36. Sinha, A., Datta, A., Madhusudan, M. D. & Mishra, C. (2005) Macaca munzala: a new species from Western Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. International Journal of Primatology, 26: 977–989. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10764-005-5333-3>.

  37. Snow, N., Young, S. L. & Callmander, M. W. (2016) Syzygium dawsoniana (Myrtaceae): a new species from New Caledonia with bullate leaves. Systematic Botany, 41: 197–201. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1600/036364416X690615>.

  38. Stone, R. D. & Ntetha, N. A. (2013) Warneckea parvifolia (Melastomataceae–Olisbeoideae), a new “sand-forest” endemic from northeastern KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and southernmost Mozambique, and a phylogenetic analysis of eastern and southern african representatives of W. section Warneckea. South African Journal of Botany, 88: 317–325. <http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2013.08.005>.

  39. Strickland, H. E. (1837) Rules for zoological nomenclature. Magazine of natural History, 1:173–176.

  40. Sumanapala, A. P. (2021) Macromia weerakooni sp. nov. (Odonata: Anisoptera: Macromiidae), a new dragonfly species from Sri Lanka. International Journal of Odonatology, 24: 169–177. <http://dx.doi.org/10.23797/2159-6719_24_13>.

  41. Sun, Y. (2022) Critically endangered upon discovery: a newly discovered plants in the Amazon is on the edge of extinction. CCTV news. <https://j.eastday.com/p/1645067730042435>. [Accessed on 8 April 2022].

  42. Tea, Y. -K., Najeeb, A., Rowlett, J. & Rocha, L. A. (2022) Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa (Teleostei, Labridae), a new species of fairy wrasse from the Maldives, with comments on the taxonomic identity of C. rubrisquamis and C. wakanda. Zookeys, 1088: 65–80. <http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1088.78139>.

  43. Turland, N. J., Wiersema, J. H., Barrie, F. R., Greuter, W., Hawksworth, D. L., Herendeen, P. S., Knapp, S., Kusber, W.-H., Li, D. -Z., Marhold, K., May, T. W., McNeill, J., Monro, A. M., Prado, J., Price, M. J. & Smith, G. F. (2018) International code of nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code). Regnum Vegetabile, Glashütten (Koeltz Botanical Books), 159: i–xxxviii + 1–254. <https://doi.org/10.12705/Code.2018>.

  44. Wright, S. D. & Gillman, L. N. (2021) Replacing current nomenclature with pre-existing indigenous names in algae, fungi and plants. Taxon, 71: 6–10. <https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.12599>.