Why are scientific names used and not common names in the scientific community?

Question

GPT 3.5 · Answer

Scientific names, also called binomial nomenclature, are used in the scientific community for several reasons:

1. Universality: Scientific names are in Latin or Latinized format, which makes them universally understandable across different countries and languages. This universal system helps to avoid confusion caused by the multiple common names that a species may have in different regions or languages.

2. Clarity and Precision: Common names can vary significantly based on region, culture, or even personal preferences. However, scientific names are standardized and unique to each species, providing clarity and precision when referring to a particular organism. This ensures that scientists worldwide can communicate effectively and avoid misinterpretation.

3. Taxonomic Hierarchy: Scientific names reflect the taxonomic hierarchy, depicting the evolutionary relationships between species. By using binomial nomenclature, scientists can immediately infer the genus and family of an organism, thereby gaining valuable information about its evolutionary history.

4. Consistency: Common names can be numerous and vary between cultures and languages, making it difficult to establish consistent standards. In contrast, scientific names are regulated by international codes (such as the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants and the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature) that define rules for naming and classifying organisms, ensuring consistency in the scientific community.

5. Discovering New Species: When new species are discovered, common names may not exist or may be ambiguous. Scientific names provide a standardized method for naming and cataloging newly identified species, facilitating accurate identification and further research.

Overall, the use of scientific names promotes clarity, precision, universality, and consistency in the scientific community, enabling effective communication and accurate classification of organisms.