Amphiprion
Premium Member
I was thinking the other day, while I was working (at a local LFS), about how people seem to avoid using scientific names. In fact, a customer I was speaking to outright refused to use them--as are many newer RC members. I have noticed that it is due to a few reasons:
1. Don't care
2. Afraid to pronounce it incorrectly
3. Don't know what they mean
Even though more and more people seem to be using scientific names lately ( :celeb1: ), there are many people still averse to their use and especially their pronunciation and meaning. For those people who fit into this category, I hope this helps
(But first, some basic, boring taxonomy and 
grammar).
Taxonomy basics:
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Taxonomy is here to make your life (and every scientist in biological fields) easier. It is a tool to classify all living things so that people can reach a more common understanding across language barriers, etc. Be aware that they are constantly prone to revision as research goes on (especially genetic research). So don't be surprised at name changes (or place changes).
These above categories increase in specificity as you go down the list. In other words, Domain is the broadest category (that we will talk about), while Species is the most narrow (or, well...most specific). Keep in mind that this is the most basic form of the taxonomic structure, with it having numerous other categories above and below each of these groupings. Usually, these categories are denoted by a 'sub-' or 'super-' or 'infra'. 'super means above, while 'sub' and 'infra' refer to lower categories (respectively). Other categories that you might see, such as Tribes, Cohorts, etc. aren't necessary unless you are a taxonomist.
Binomial Nomenclature basics:
By its very name, this refers to 'two name naming system.' Every living creature that is taxonomically defined is specified by two primary names. These two names consist of the Genus and Species are written (or spoken together).
Example: Ursus maritimus--the polar bear
As you may have already realized, these words are in Latin. But that does not mean they are 'latin names.' Trust me, they are not Latin names. While many of the words are in latin, almost as many are in Greek, as well. Some of these names are just plain made up (example: Artemia nyos (seamonkey)--'nyos' is the initials of the facility where seamonkeys are bred and distributed).
Note that the first word is capitalized, while the second is in the lower case. This is standard procedure and is the correct way to write these names. Also, in most circumstances, the first word will be a noun (in most cases, a thing), while the second is typically an adjective (or a word describing that first 'thing.'). This first word is the Genus, (plural: genera) while the second is the species (plural: species). Now a bit of grammar. In the vast majority of circumstances (unless a taxonomist decides otherwise, which does occasionally happen, as I will point out), these names will follow Latin grammar. Every name will be masculine, feminine, or neuter. How can you tell? Well, if a name is correct, you can tell by the ending on the species. Usually, words ending with -us or -i (or -ii) are masculine, -a and -ae are feminine, and -um and -a are neuter. Some you will not know unless you know some basic latin or can consult something (www.fishbase.org will give you the gender of the genus as far as fish go). If you know the correct gender of the genus, then it is easier to get the correct gender of the species. (NOTE: the gender of the species is almost always governed by the gender of the Genus).
Example: Centropyge--feminine
which would you choose given the above?
a. loriculus (commonly seen)
b. loricula
c. loriculum
B is the correct answer, given that Centropyge (dwarf angelfish) are feminine in name and the suffix -a (being singular, ruling out the neuter plural ending), the species (adjective) would have to end in an -a.
Now on to how such names are used:
There are three major categories of giving a species name
1. based on place
2. named after a person
3. named for a characteristic of a given organism
1--most names ending in -i, -ii, or -ae are named after people. For example, Amphiprion clarkii is named after a man, Clark (hence Clark's clownfish). Names ending with -ae are usually named after a woman (and are, therefore, feminine). There are a few names that are named after more than one person. The corresponding endings are -orum for male people, -arum for female people. Example: Pseudanthias bartlettorum (Bartletts' anthias.
2--most place species will usually ending in -ensis. Example: Pavona maldivensis--the Maldives pavona. A few others will just have a participle or simple adjective describing them. Example: Megalops atlanticus (Atlantic tarpon).
3. These species names are a bit more complex, describing the features of an individual fish. Example: Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis (yellow fin [or top] filament wrasse. Most of these names will correspond to the above grammar, but the words themselves aren't quite as easy to decode as those above.
Those are the basics of naming fish (and other animals, as I illustrated).
Pronunciations:
Despite what you may think, this is the easy part ( ). Unlike the pronunciation of the latin language (true 'latin' or 'church latin, as they are called), the nomenclature here is based on standard english pronunciations (sorry for any of you latin nerds--you can't pronounce it your way 
). Long vowels are long vowels, short vowels are short vowels. The stress on each particular syllable is different from person to person--this is unimportant and isn't standardized as far as I know.
--basic endings and pronunciations:
-ae="ee" sound
-oe="ee" sound
-i= "eye" sound
-ii= "eye" sound
-orum="oar-um"
-arum="air-um"
-ensis="en-siss"
'X' (as in Xanthichthys) will make the "z" sound
'Ch' will make a "k" sound (as in Chelmon)
'y' (in Xanthichthys) will make the short 'i' sound (or the 'iss' sound in this case)
'y' (in Cynarina) will make the 'eye' sound (usually when found at the beginning of the word).
-es endings (Porites) make the 'eeze' sound (these 'eeze sounds usually have a long vowel before them, so the 'i' in Porites will be a long 'eye' sound.
There are plenty of silent pronunciations as well:
'Ct' (in Ctenophore) is simply "teen"
'ps' (in Pseudochromis) is simply the 's' sound
'gn' (in Gnathonemus) is just the 'n' sound (when found later in a word, you pronounce the whole thing, (like in Syngnathidae-- "sing-nayth-i-dee)
There are plenty more out there, some much more difficult than what I have shown. But that is what questions are for! I hope this gives a bit of a better understanding to these names you see thrown around here all the time. If anyone ever has a question about these, simply pm me or add to the thread. I am open to ANY corrections, additions, etc., as I am prone to making mistakes. Also, if you want anything clarified, please let me know. I hope my small lesson will get people over any scientific 'name-itis', help with pronunciation, and get people to use these wonderful tools a bit more often. Have fun!
1. Don't care
2. Afraid to pronounce it incorrectly
3. Don't know what they mean
Even though more and more people seem to be using scientific names lately ( :celeb1: ), there are many people still averse to their use and especially their pronunciation and meaning. For those people who fit into this category, I hope this helps
(But first, some basic, boring taxonomy and grammar).Taxonomy basics:
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Taxonomy is here to make your life (and every scientist in biological fields) easier. It is a tool to classify all living things so that people can reach a more common understanding across language barriers, etc. Be aware that they are constantly prone to revision as research goes on (especially genetic research). So don't be surprised at name changes (or place changes).
These above categories increase in specificity as you go down the list. In other words, Domain is the broadest category (that we will talk about), while Species is the most narrow (or, well...most specific). Keep in mind that this is the most basic form of the taxonomic structure, with it having numerous other categories above and below each of these groupings. Usually, these categories are denoted by a 'sub-' or 'super-' or 'infra'. 'super means above, while 'sub' and 'infra' refer to lower categories (respectively). Other categories that you might see, such as Tribes, Cohorts, etc. aren't necessary unless you are a taxonomist.
Binomial Nomenclature basics:
By its very name, this refers to 'two name naming system.' Every living creature that is taxonomically defined is specified by two primary names. These two names consist of the Genus and Species are written (or spoken together).
Example: Ursus maritimus--the polar bear
As you may have already realized, these words are in Latin. But that does not mean they are 'latin names.' Trust me, they are not Latin names. While many of the words are in latin, almost as many are in Greek, as well. Some of these names are just plain made up (example: Artemia nyos (seamonkey)--'nyos' is the initials of the facility where seamonkeys are bred and distributed).
Note that the first word is capitalized, while the second is in the lower case. This is standard procedure and is the correct way to write these names. Also, in most circumstances, the first word will be a noun (in most cases, a thing), while the second is typically an adjective (or a word describing that first 'thing.'). This first word is the Genus, (plural: genera) while the second is the species (plural: species). Now a bit of grammar. In the vast majority of circumstances (unless a taxonomist decides otherwise, which does occasionally happen, as I will point out), these names will follow Latin grammar. Every name will be masculine, feminine, or neuter. How can you tell? Well, if a name is correct, you can tell by the ending on the species. Usually, words ending with -us or -i (or -ii) are masculine, -a and -ae are feminine, and -um and -a are neuter. Some you will not know unless you know some basic latin or can consult something (www.fishbase.org will give you the gender of the genus as far as fish go). If you know the correct gender of the genus, then it is easier to get the correct gender of the species. (NOTE: the gender of the species is almost always governed by the gender of the Genus).
Example: Centropyge--feminine
which would you choose given the above?
a. loriculus (commonly seen)
b. loricula
c. loriculum
B is the correct answer, given that Centropyge (dwarf angelfish) are feminine in name and the suffix -a (being singular, ruling out the neuter plural ending), the species (adjective) would have to end in an -a.
Now on to how such names are used:
There are three major categories of giving a species name
1. based on place
2. named after a person
3. named for a characteristic of a given organism
1--most names ending in -i, -ii, or -ae are named after people. For example, Amphiprion clarkii is named after a man, Clark (hence Clark's clownfish). Names ending with -ae are usually named after a woman (and are, therefore, feminine). There are a few names that are named after more than one person. The corresponding endings are -orum for male people, -arum for female people. Example: Pseudanthias bartlettorum (Bartletts' anthias.
2--most place species will usually ending in -ensis. Example: Pavona maldivensis--the Maldives pavona. A few others will just have a participle or simple adjective describing them. Example: Megalops atlanticus (Atlantic tarpon).
3. These species names are a bit more complex, describing the features of an individual fish. Example: Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis (yellow fin [or top] filament wrasse. Most of these names will correspond to the above grammar, but the words themselves aren't quite as easy to decode as those above.
Those are the basics of naming fish (and other animals, as I illustrated).
Pronunciations:
Despite what you may think, this is the easy part (
). Unlike the pronunciation of the latin language (true 'latin' or 'church latin, as they are called), the nomenclature here is based on standard english pronunciations (sorry for any of you latin nerds--you can't pronounce it your way ). Long vowels are long vowels, short vowels are short vowels. The stress on each particular syllable is different from person to person--this is unimportant and isn't standardized as far as I know.--basic endings and pronunciations:
-ae="ee" sound
-oe="ee" sound
-i= "eye" sound
-ii= "eye" sound
-orum="oar-um"
-arum="air-um"
-ensis="en-siss"
'X' (as in Xanthichthys) will make the "z" sound
'Ch' will make a "k" sound (as in Chelmon)
'y' (in Xanthichthys) will make the short 'i' sound (or the 'iss' sound in this case)
'y' (in Cynarina) will make the 'eye' sound (usually when found at the beginning of the word).
-es endings (Porites) make the 'eeze' sound (these 'eeze sounds usually have a long vowel before them, so the 'i' in Porites will be a long 'eye' sound.
There are plenty of silent pronunciations as well:
'Ct' (in Ctenophore) is simply "teen"
'ps' (in Pseudochromis) is simply the 's' sound
'gn' (in Gnathonemus) is just the 'n' sound (when found later in a word, you pronounce the whole thing, (like in Syngnathidae-- "sing-nayth-i-dee)
There are plenty more out there, some much more difficult than what I have shown. But that is what questions are for! I hope this gives a bit of a better understanding to these names you see thrown around here all the time. If anyone ever has a question about these, simply pm me or add to the thread. I am open to ANY corrections, additions, etc., as I am prone to making mistakes. Also, if you want anything clarified, please let me know. I hope my small lesson will get people over any scientific 'name-itis', help with pronunciation, and get people to use these wonderful tools a bit more often. Have fun!
What do you mean? I know it means Amphi (half) and prion (saw), but that is Greek, not Latin.
After about 6 years of harassing them I think I'm beginning to bore them... time to step it up a notch and watch the looks on their faces when I start saying the names right. 
