usually hyphens are not accepted in scientific names of animals but exceptions
are made in exactly such cases as this (e.g. v-nigrum, c-album, etc) where a
single letter is used to describe a visual character of the creature followed
by (usually) a colour. In this case it does indeed mean a black V-shaped
marking. I personally don't like hyphens in scientific names, but that's the
way the ICZN works, and Somateria mollisima v-nigrum is a valid name (v-nigrum
has priority over v-nigra, and the v is neuter so the name is a noun and does
not change to v-nigra to agree with Somateria [i.e. according to the Code's
rules nigrum agrees in gender with the v not with the genus]).
________________________________
From: David James <>
To: Dave Torr <>
Cc: "" <>
Sent: Sunday, 22 January 2012 5:35 PM
Subject: Taxonomy question
'I dout that 'v-nigrum' (meaning black V) would be a valid subspecific name
under the zoological nomenclature code. Perhaps the v indicates that nigrum is
the name of the variety rather than a subspecies. Varietly is a category lower
than subspecies which is used frequently in botany but not usually in zoology.
an antiquated name perhaps?
David James,
in Jakarta
==============================
________________________________
From: Dave Torr <>
To: Andrew Hobbs <>
Cc:
Sent: Sunday, 22 January 2012 10:56 AM
Subject: Taxonomy question
Thanks Andrew - that makes sense and advances my knowledge. Will now allow
for such forms in my software.
On 22 January 2012 10:51, Andrew Hobbs <> wrote:
> On 22/01/2012 6:40 AM, Dave Torr wrote:
>
>> Hi
>>
>> I am working on a spreadsheet that correlates the latest IOC 3e list (with
>> subspecies) to the relevant pages in the HBW volumes - should have it
>> finished in a week or so if anyone wants a copy.
>>
>> Anyway - I have found that a subspecies of Common Eider is listed as
>> *Somateria
>> mollissima v-nigrum* which is confusing me as I thought all components
>> were
>>
>> "simple" words - my software certainly did not expect a hyphen in the
>> middle of a component. It is also listed (as *v-nigra*) on the Avibase
>>
>> system. Anyone have an explanation for this?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>
> I suspect that the v-nigra stands for a black V shape visible in the
> feather pattern; see
>
> http://iczn.org/content/what-**correct-original-spelling<http://iczn.org/content/what-correct-original-spelling>
>
> However hyphens in species/subspecies names are not unusual; see
>
> http://iczn.org/content/code-**relationship-2831<http://iczn.org/content/code-relationship-2831>
>
> http://iczn.org/content/code-**relationship-170<http://iczn.org/content/code-relationship-170>
>
> Cheers
>
> Andrew
>
>
>> Dave
>> ==============================**=
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