Synonym (taxonomy)

Sometimes a living thing has two names. One name is the old name. The new name is the right one.

Scientists use these names to talk about plants and animals. A name can change if we learn something new. A plant might move to a new group. This makes its old name a synonym.

One name is always the correct one. We use the right name to avoid being confused. This helps all scientists work together.

Names change for many reasons. Sometimes we find an even older name. Then we must use that one instead. This keeps the rules fair for everyone.

Knowing old names is still very helpful. It helps us find old books and notes. We can learn about the same thing easily.

In science, a synonym is an extra name for a living thing. Scientists use special names for every plant and animal. Sometimes, one living thing has two or more names. We call these extra names synonyms. Only one name is the correct one at a time.

Names change for many reasons. A name might change if a plant moves to a new group. This is called a taxonomic change. A name might also change because of rules. For example, an older name might be found. The oldest name usually becomes the correct one. In zoology, the first name is the senior synonym. The later name is the junior synonym.

Sometimes, scientists disagree on names. This can happen if they look at different parts of a plant. One person might think it is a new species. Another person might think it is an old one. This is called a subjective synonym.

Other names are objective synonyms. This happens when two names are based on the same thing. Knowing old names is still very helpful. It helps scientists find facts in old books.

In the world of science, names are very important. Scientists use special names to talk about every living thing. Sometimes, one plant or animal has more than one name. We call these extra names synonyms. A synonym is not just another word for the same thing. In science, synonyms have a special status. Only one name is considered the correct one at any time. This correct name is chosen by following strict sets of rules. A synonym always exists as an alternative to a different name.

Names change for a few different reasons. One way is through a taxonomic change. This happens when scientists change how they group living things. A species might move to a new genus, which is a group of similar things. Another way is through a nomenclatural change. This happens because of the rules of naming. For example, an older name might be found. Usually, the oldest name becomes the correct one. This is called having priority.

Zoology is the study of animals. In this field, the rules are very specific. The earliest name published is called the senior synonym. Any name published later is called a junior synonym. Sometimes, two names are published at the same time. In that case, scientists use the principle of the first reviser to pick one. For example, Linnaeus published names for the snowy owl in the same work. He chose the name Strix scandiaca as the valid one. This made Strix noctua a junior synonym.

There are two main types of synonyms in zoology. Objective synonyms happen when two names share the same type. A type is a specific specimen used to define the name. One example involves the genus Pomatia. It was created for snails that were already in the genus Helix. This made Pomatia an objective synonym. Subjective synonyms are different because they do not share a type. These depend on a scientist's judgment. One researcher might think two things are the same, while another disagrees.

Sometimes, the rules allow for a special reversal. This happens to keep things from getting too confusing. If a very old name has not been used since 1899, it might be set aside. The well-known name is then protected. This happened with the red imported fire ant. The name Solenopsis invicta was used in many books. Even though a name from 1916 was older, the rules kept invicta as the correct name. This helps scientists stay organized and avoid confusion.

In the field of taxonomy, a synonym is a scientific name applied to a taxon. A taxon is a specific group of living things, like a species or a genus. Unlike common language, synonyms in science are not equal to the correct name. Only one scientific name is considered the correct one at any given time. This name is determined by following specific sets of rules. A synonym cannot exist on its own. It always serves as an alternative to a different, currently accepted name. This means that what one scientist calls a synonym, another might call the correct name.

Synonyms arise through several different processes. They often occur when the same organism is described and named more than once by different people. They also appear when existing taxa are changed. For example, two different groups might be joined into one single group. A species might also be moved from one genus to another. Even changes in the official codes of nomenclature can create synonyms. Sometimes, an older name is rejected in favor of a conserved name to keep things stable. For instance, the name Erica herbacea L. is now a synonym of Erica carnea L.

In zoology, the study of animals, the rules are very strict. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature governs these names. A synonym must be a name of the same taxonomic rank as the taxon it describes. The earliest correctly published name is called the senior synonym. This name usually takes precedence and must be used. Any name published later is known as a junior synonym. If two names are published at the exact same time, scientists use the principle of the first reviser. This principle helps them choose one valid name. For example, Linnaeus published two names for the snowy owl in the same work. He chose Strix scandiaca as the valid name, making Strix noctua a junior synonym.

Zoologists divide synonyms into two main categories: objective and subjective. Objective synonyms occur when two different names refer to the same type specimen. Because they share the same physical specimen, the relationship is a matter of fact. An example is the genus Pomatia, which was created for snails already in the genus Helix. Since they share the same type species, Pomatia became an objective synonym. Subjective synonyms are different because they do not share a single type specimen. These depend on taxonomic judgment. One researcher might believe two specimens belong to the same species, while another disagrees. This happened with the pronghorn, where a specimen named Antilocapra anteflexa was later judged to be an unusual individual of Antilocapra americana.

To prevent chaos, the rules allow for a "reversal of precedence." This is a special exception to the rule that the oldest name wins. If a senior synonym has not been used since 1899, it may be declared a nomen oblitum, or a forgotten name. The name that is currently in common use is then declared a nomen protectum, or a protected name. This prevents confusion in scientific literature. A case involving the European land snail Petasina edentula shows this in action. An older name was found in 2002, but because it had not been used since before 1899, the current name was kept. The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature can also approve such reversals for names established after 1900.

Botany, the study of plants, handles synonyms in its own way. In botanical nomenclature, a synonym is any name that is not considered correct for a specific taxon. Botanists use two main types: homotypic and heterotypic synonyms. Homotypic synonyms, also called nomenclatural synonyms, share the same type specimen. For example, Pinus abies is a homotypic synonym of Picea abies because they share the same type. Heterotypic synonyms, or taxonomic synonyms, are based on different type specimens. These are often the result of different scientists looking at different plants and thinking they found new species.

Understanding synonyms is vital for all scientific communication. In fields like agriculture, ecology, and horticulture, synonyms help researchers find old data. If a scientist is looking for information on a fruit fly, they might find studies under an old name. Using the notation "(syn. Drosophila melanogaster)" helps readers connect the new name to the old one. This prevents errors and ensures that knowledge is passed down correctly. Whether the change is taxonomic, based on new scientific insight, or nomenclatural, based on strict rules, synonyms keep the history of discovery organized.