Genus: Difference between revisions
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Obviously, within the same kingdom one particular generic name can apply to only one genus. This explains why the [[platypus]] genus is named ''Ornithorhynchus'' — it was indeed given the name ''Platypus'', by [[George Shaw]] in [[1799]], but by then that name had already been given to the [[ambrosia beetle]] by [[Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Herbst]] in [[1793]]. Names with the same form but applying to different taxa are called [[homonym#homonyms in scientific nomenclature|homonym]]s. Since beetles and platypuses are both members of the kingdom [[Animal]]ia, the name ''Platypus'' could not be used for both. [[Johann Friedrich Blumenbach]] published the replacement name ''Ornithorhynchus'' in [[1800]]. |
Obviously, within the same kingdom one particular generic name can apply to only one genus. This explains why the [[platypus]] genus is named ''Ornithorhynchus'' — it was indeed given the name ''Platypus'', by [[George Shaw]] in [[1799]], but by then that name had already been given to the [[ambrosia beetle]] by [[Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Herbst]] in [[1793]]. Names with the same form but applying to different taxa are called [[homonym#homonyms in scientific nomenclature|homonym]]s. Since beetles and platypuses are both members of the kingdom [[Animal]]ia, the name ''Platypus'' could not be used for both. [[Johann Friedrich Blumenbach]] published the replacement name ''Ornithorhynchus'' in [[1800]]. |
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Many genera are divided into [[subgenus|subgenera]] (singular ''subgenus''). |
Many genera are divided into [[subgenus|subgenera]] (singular '''subgenus'''). |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 22:47, 18 April 2006
In biology, a genus (plural genera) is a taxonomic grouping. That is, in the classification of living organisms, a genus is considered to be distinct from other such genera. A genus has one or more species: if it has more than one species these are likely to be morphologically more similar than species belonging to different genera.
In the binomial nomenclature used worldwide, the name of an organism is composed of two parts: its genus name (always capitalized) and a species modifier. An example is Homo sapiens, the name for the human species which belongs to the genus Homo. See scientific classification and nomenclature Codes for more details of this system. Also see type genus.
A genus in one kingdom is allowed to bear a name that is in use as a genus name or other taxon name in another kingdom. Although this is discouraged by both the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature there are some five thousand such names that are in use in more than one kingdom. For instance, Anura is the name of the order of frogs but also is the name of a genus of plants (although not current: it is a synonym); and Aotus is the genus of golden peas and night monkeys; Oenanthe is the genus of wheatears and water dropworts, and Prunella is the genus of accentors and self-heal.
Obviously, within the same kingdom one particular generic name can apply to only one genus. This explains why the platypus genus is named Ornithorhynchus — it was indeed given the name Platypus, by George Shaw in 1799, but by then that name had already been given to the ambrosia beetle by Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Herbst in 1793. Names with the same form but applying to different taxa are called homonyms. Since beetles and platypuses are both members of the kingdom Animalia, the name Platypus could not be used for both. Johann Friedrich Blumenbach published the replacement name Ornithorhynchus in 1800.
Many genera are divided into subgenera (singular subgenus).
See also
