The process of naming a newly discovered dinosaur is a formal scientific procedure, known as scientific nomenclature. This standardized system ensures that every organism, extinct or living, has a unique and universally recognized name. This practice is necessary for clarity in scientific communication, allowing paleontologists worldwide to refer to the exact same species without confusion. The rules governing this process are precise and regulated, guaranteeing stability and consistency across languages and time.
Who Sets the Rules for Naming
The formal naming of all animals, including dinosaurs, is governed by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). This body establishes and maintains the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, which is the rulebook for naming procedures. The ICZN’s primary goal is to promote stability and universality in zoological names, ensuring that a single animal has only one officially recognized scientific name.
A core principle enforced by the ICZN is the Principle of Priority. This rule dictates that the first name validly published for a species or genus is the one that takes precedence over any later-published names. If two different names are later found to describe the same animal, the older name is considered the “senior synonym” and remains the official name. This principle is vital for resolving disputes and maintaining historical continuity in the scientific record.
If a later name is used for a long time and is widely accepted, the ICZN can intervene to conserve the more familiar name to prevent unnecessary confusion. The Commission also addresses issues like homonymy, where the same name might have been accidentally used for two different animals. These strict regulations ensure that the scientific name is unique and serves as a stable reference point for all future research.
The Structure of Dinosaur Names
The official scientific name for a dinosaur follows a standardized format called binomial nomenclature, a two-part naming system originally devised by Carl Linnaeus. This system uses two Latinized words to identify the species. The first word is the Genus name, and the second is the species name.
The Genus name is always capitalized and functions as a noun, grouping together closely related species. The species name, or specific epithet, is never capitalized and often acts as a descriptive adjective for that particular animal within the genus. For example, in Tyrannosaurus rex, Tyrannosaurus is the genus, and rex is the species. Both parts of the name are traditionally derived from Latin or Ancient Greek roots, which ensures the name is universal and consistent across all languages.
What Inspires the Actual Names
Paleontologists draw inspiration from several categories when coining the Latinized components of a new dinosaur name:
- Anatomical Features: The name describes a unique physical trait of the dinosaur. Triceratops means “three-horned face,” referencing its skull structure, and Stegosaurus translates to “roof lizard,” reflecting its distinctive bony plates.
- Geographic Origin: The name references the location of the fossil discovery. Albertasaurus is named after the Canadian province of Alberta, and Argentinosaurus references its discovery in Argentina. This links the animal permanently to its place of origin.
- Honorifics: A species is named after a person who contributed significantly to the discovery or the field of paleontology. This can honor the fossil collector or a notable researcher, such as the species name lambei in Lambeosaurus lambei.
- Mythology or Culture: Names are drawn from mythology or culture to evoke a characteristic of the creature, such as Dracorex hogwartsia, meaning “dragon king of Hogwarts,” in a nod to the Harry Potter series.
The Validation and Publication Process
For a proposed name to become officially recognized under the ICZN rules, the discoverer must follow a rigorous validation process. The first step is the designation of a Type Specimen, which is the physical fossil or set of fossils that serves as the definitive reference point for the new species. This specimen, often a holotype, must be complete enough to display features that clearly distinguish the new species from all others. The type specimen is typically housed in a major museum collection, making it available for other scientists to examine.
The paleontologist must then prepare a comprehensive scientific description of the new animal, detailing its anatomy and justifying why it represents a new species or genus. This description, along with the proposed name, must be formally published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal or monograph. Publication in a reputable journal is the final, mandatory step that officially registers the name and establishes its priority under the ICZN Code. Without this formal publication, a name remains unofficial and invalid.