In fact, scientific names should be constant - unless some previous mistakes
would be discovered. But that only applies to the species name - the second
part of the binomial. The first part is the genus name, which indicates
relationships with other taxa. The Crested Pigeon has usually been placed in
the monotypic genus Ocyphaps. However, some authors were of the opinion that
its divergence from species of the genus Geophaps (its closest relative
seems to be the Spinifex Pigeon, Geophaps plumifera) was not far enough to
warrant placing it in a different genus. So, the name became Geophaps
lophotes. But not everybody accepts this, and some authors will keep calling
them Ocyphaps lophotes. But as you see, the 'lophotes' part remains
constant.
Paul Van Gasse
Kruibeke, Belgium
-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van:
Phil Joy
Verzonden: woensdag 24 januari 2001 9:38
Aan:
CC:
Onderwerp: Re: [BIRDING-AUS] Differing Latin Names
Thanks for that Lawrie. I had always thought that the scientific names
given to a species was sacrosanct, etched in stone so to speak.
Phil Joy
PO Box 1510
Broome
W A 6725
Visit Broome Bird Observatory online at:-
http://cygnus.uwa.edu.au/~austecol/observatories/broome.htm
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