Best practice in the use of the scientific names of animals (original) (raw)

2013, In: Smart P., Maisonneuve H. and Polderman A. (eds) Science Editors’ Handbook European Association of Science Editors. www.ease.org.uk

The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (the Code) is the internationally agreed set of rules for the scientific names of animals that ensures the stability and universality of zoological names. This chapter is a brief overview of selected topics of special relevance to editors, based on their mention in the Code or prevalence in enquiries to the Commission and Secretariat.1 We cannot cover all the issues you might encounter, but more detail can be found in the following documents published by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, which together comprise the authoritative, current, amended text of the Code: The 4th edition of the Code2, Declaration 443 and the Amendment of Articles.4 We suggest that your journal’s Instructions to Authors state that nomenclature must follow the current (4th) edition of the Code, taking into account later amendments, and give the web address of the Commission where the online Code, amendments and a selection of FAQs addressing common problems can be accessed (http://iczn.org/).