According to ICBN or ICZN guidelines, giving a specific scientific name to a specific species by adding the species name to the end of the generic name is called binomial nomenclature. Gaspard Bauhin first used binomial names for some plants in his book Pinax. In 1753, the Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus introduced the system of binomial naming of organisms. He introduced binomial nomenclature in Species Plantarum.
Binomial nomenclature rules
1. Ekpadi: The top six levels of species of organisms are called Ekpadi. For example- Division.
2. Binomial Name: The species name of the organism will be Binomial. The first is the genus name and the second is the species name of that genus. Part of the species name of an organism is derived from the name of a person, the name of a region or place, a characteristic of a plant, etc. For example – Mangifera indica.
3. Polynomial Name: The lower level name of the species of organism will be polynomial. For example, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis.
4. Language of the name: The scientific name of the organism must be Latin or Latinized.
5. Initials: The first letter of the genus name of the organism should be capitalized and all letters including the first letter of the species name should be written in small letter. For example – Oryza sativa.
6. Printing mode: When printing the scientific name of the organism must be italic or roman or bold.
7. Handwriting: When writing the scientific name of the organism by hand, English letters must be used and the genus and species must be underlined separately. For example – Mangifera indica.
8. Validity: Each species shall have a valid name. It must be validly published.
9. Name of originator: The name of the scientist who gives the scientific name of a plant or animal should be appended to the end of the scientific name of the plant or animal. For example, Oryza sativa L.
10. Tautonym: The genus and species parts of an organism’s scientific name may be the same. For example – Catla catla.
11. Type Specimen: Plants or animals used as specimens during scientific nomenclature should be preserved in the laboratory.
12. Name of many promoters: If it happens, scientific name of a species is given many in the same or different countries, according to the principles or priority, the first scientist who submits the documents to the ICBN first will be accepted.
Binomial nomenclature is a very important process in biology. This rule is followed with utmost respect in all areas of biology, including teaching and research.
Necessity of binomenclature
1. Identification: Each species has only one scientific name. It is known in the world by this name.
2. Identification: Each species has a unique scientific name. So it can be easily identified all over the world.
3. Universal: Each species has only one scientific name. Having only one name does not create any complications. So it is acceptable and universal to all.
4. Language of Names: Organisms are in Scientific Latin or Transliterated Latin. Latin is not the language of any country or nation.
5. Taxonomy: Scientific names help in taxonomy. That is, scientific names are necessary for the classification of organisms.
6. Place Names: Scientific names are made according to the names of places or places. So place name is known from scientific name.
7. Kinship: Scientific names express the relationship between species of the same genus.
8. Characteristic: Being scientific descriptive indicates some characteristic features of the organism.
9. Name of originator: The name of the scientist who gives the scientific name of a plant or animal should be appended to the end of the scientific name of the plant or animal. Hence the name of the promoter is known from the scientific name. For example, Oryza sativa L.