Should offensive species names be changed? The organisms that honour dictators, racists and criminals

Listen to episode 1 of ‘What’s in a name’

Categorizing things is central to science. And there are dozens of systems scientists have created to name everything from the trenches on the sea bed to the stars in the sky.

But names have consequences — unintended or otherwise. In our new series What’s in a name we’ll explore naming in science and how names impact the world — whether that’s how the names of storms impact public safety, how the names of diseases impact patient care, or even how the names of scientific concepts can drive the direction of research itself.

In this first episode we’re looking at species names. The modern system of species naming began in the 1700s and has played a vital role in standardizing academic communication, ensuring that scientists are on the same page when they talk about an organism. However, this system is not without its issues. For example, there has been much debate around whether species with names considered offensive — such as those named after historical racists — should be changed, and what rule changes need to be made to allow this to happen.

We speak to researchers about the history of this naming system, how it’s applied and how it might evolve in the face of growing pressures.

Sources

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Stability or stasis in the names of organisms:the evolving codes of nomenclature

Linnean Society: Linnaeus and Race

Our world in data: How many species are there?

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature: The code

International Association for Plant Taxonomy: The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants

Journal of General Virology: Guidance for creating individual and batch latinized binomial virus species names

Insect Systematics and Diversity: New Species Described From Photographs: Yes? No? Sometimes? A Fierce Debate and a New Declaration of the ICZN

Scientific American: Animal Species Named from Photos

The Guardian: Scientists identify deep-sea blob as new species using only video

Smithsonian Magazine: A Few Bad Scientists Are Threatening to Topple Taxonomy