Simple Question on Writing Scientific Names

[High_Rolling_T]

I'm a big stickler on properly formatting my post so that all my tarantula names are written in Genus spp. or Genus species later followed by G. species format. However, often times I find it cumbersome to use the Genus spp. format when talking about an entire genus or multiple genera. My question is, if I were to write the genus alone, should it be italicized? For example, when I want to use Brachypelma alone, do I write it like that or should I have said "When I want to use Brachypelma alone"?

 

[synyster]

Yes, the proper writing should be italic even when just mentioning the genus.

But this is a forum, not a scientific paper so don't feel bad about not using the italics, I know I don't

 

[jayefbe]

Using italics on a message board is a pain in the behind, so I don't use it. However, too things that really bug me:
1. Capitalizing the species epithet
2. The plural of genus is genera. Not genus's or some other bizarre form of that.

You did neither, so you're well ahead of the game in my opinion.

 

[SEB]

Using italics on a message board is a pain in the behind, so I don't use it. However, too things that really bug me:
1. Capitalizing the species epithet
2. The plural of genus is genera. Not genus's or some other bizarre form of that.

You did neither, so you're well ahead of the game in my opinion.

I was also really interested in the what the correct usage of genus would be if it were plural. Per www.dictionary.com, both "genera" and "genuses" are both correct. That is the only source I checked though so it might still just be "genera"

 

[jayefbe]

I just looked that up too. The only explanation I can come up with is that "genuses" is an acceptable plural when using one of the other definitions of "genus" (similar class of thing). You won't hear/read anything but genera in the science field when referring to more than one genus.

 

[Bill S]

Capitalizing and italicizing genus names is the correct way, whether people accept other forms or not. Same with genera vs. genuses. Genera is correct, even if there are people who tolerate genuses. I suspect people who are happy with non-capitalized, non italicized "genuses" are also comfortable with sloppy spelling and grammar in general. Tolerating lower quality doesn't make it correct.

 

[Stan Schultz]

... I suspect people who are happy with non-capitalized, non italicized "genuses" are also comfortable with sloppy spelling and grammar in general. Tolerating lower quality doesn't make it correct.

u r crct.
no 1 nos hw 2 spl amor & txtng is mking it evn wors!

 

[High_Rolling_T]

Yes, the proper writing should be italic even when just mentioning the genus.

But this is a forum, not a scientific paper so don't feel bad about not using the italics, I know I don't

Thanks for that! That's what I assumed since there was no reason it shouldn't be italicized, but just wanted to make sure(plus it's always good that the newbs get a good look at proper writing of scientific names). Every time I'm writing a post with multiple species in it, it drives me bonkers, but I like things being proper and correct and in the end its always worth it to me.

For example... I just edited this post because I forgot a coma in the sentence above!

Using italics on a message board is a pain in the behind, so I don't use it. However, too things that really bug me:
1. Capitalizing the species epithet
2. The plural of genus is genera. Not genus's or some other bizarre form of that.

You did neither, so you're well ahead of the game in my opinion.

Oh trust me, those drive me off the wall as well. As stated above though, no matter how much of a pain it is, it just looks better in the end.

Capitalizing and italicizing genus names is the correct way, whether people accept other forms or not. Same with genera vs. genuses. Genera is correct, even if there are people who tolerate genuses. I suspect people who are happy with non-capitalized, non italicized "genuses" are also comfortable with sloppy spelling and grammar in general. Tolerating lower quality doesn't make it correct.

I agree with this to a degree: I generally don't mind others not italicizing since putting in the tags can be annoying to do(I'm used to it as I'm a Full Time Developer writing code all day so it's nothing out of the ordinary for me). I more so judge when people don't capitalize, abbreviate a lot, or generally butcher every name they write. If I'm ever not sure on the spelling, I always do a quick check. Correctness is always best for clarity.

u r crct.
no 1 nos hw 2 spl amor & txtng is mking it evn wors!

OMG i no xactly wat u meen! i cant stnd txt speek!

 

[jayefbe]

Correctness is always best for clarity.

EXACTLY. That's why I always double-check on spelling too. With misinformation so abundant in tarantula keeping, it's important to be clear so as not to inadvertently promote something that's inaccurate. It's also extremely helpful when it comes to searching the forums.

 

[synyster]

I more so judge when people don't capitalize, abbreviate a lot, or generally butcher every name they write.

I hear you! T.Blondie, T.Apothytis, Phormicutopus Concerites, Athenscuria just to name a few.... :sarcasm:

But hey, I'd rather laugh than go crazy about it ;P

 

[SEB]

I just looked that up too. The only explanation I can come up with is that "genuses" is an acceptable plural when using one of the other definitions of "genus" (similar class of thing). You won't hear/read anything but genera in the science field when referring to more than one genus.

That makes sense.

 

[Shell]

I hear you! T.Blondie, T.Apothytis, Phormicutopus Concerites, Athenscuria just to name a few.... :sarcasm:

You forgot Nhando cromatis.....

 

[advan]

You forgot Nhando cromatis.....

He also forgot mecher mail g. polcra.


Which one of these is correct?

Tapinauchenius sp. Peru

Tapinauchenius sp. peru

Tapinauchenius sp. "Peru"

Tapinauchenius sp. "peru"

 

[SEB]

Tapinauchenius sp. "Peru"

I might be wrong. This is what I think is right, but I'm still learning.

 

[D3N2]

He also forgot mecher mail g. polcra.


Which one of these is correct?

Tapinauchenius sp. Peru

Tapinauchenius sp. peru

Tapinauchenius sp. "Peru"

Tapinauchenius sp. "peru"

None of them? 'sp. "Peru"' should not be italicized, right? I would say Tapinauchenius sp. "Peru" should be correct..

 

[xhexdx]

You're right.

 

[SEB]

I learn something new everyday.

 

[CoSpiderGuy]

This is all cunfusing me lol. My girlfriend gets pissed if I call a T by it's scientific name, she thinks I'm trying to make her feel stupid lol. I'm just trying to be proper.

 

[High_Rolling_T]

None of them? 'sp. "Peru"' should not be italicized, right? I would say Tapinauchenius sp. "Peru" should be correct..

You're right.

I never knew that. Thanks!

 

[Bill S]

None of them? 'sp. "Peru"' should not be italicized, right? I would say Tapinauchenius sp. "Peru" should be correct..

Yup. The reason for this is that only Tapinauchenius is part of a scientific name. "Peru" is a collecting site (or in other species might be a descriptor such as "Purple") and therefore not italicized. And of course sp just means it's a species of Tapinauchenius.