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Ray Zimmerman's avatar

I remember a debate from my working naturalist days about using Latinized names, sometimes called scientific names, for plants and animals. A colleague said that if you used the Latin name, there was no question about which plant or animal you meant and that the scientific names do not change.

I could have articulated my opinion better, but my feeling today is that if you use scientific names, no one in your audience knows what you are talking about unless they are specialists used to the particular names. If you use common names, a few people will recognize them and apply them to the same plant or animal, even though some may use that name for a different organism or call the one you speak of by another name.

The idea that scientific names do not change is patently false. Names change every time the organizations that do the naming meet. Species are split into two new species. Molecular genetics recognize new relationships and dissolve old ones. For example, once considered birds of prey, vultures are now grouped with storks.

Recognizing that different audiences have different needs and standards, I plan to continue using common names. I am unlikely to speak before a technical or specialized audience.

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beth duff's avatar

Thank you, this is really enlightening!

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