Science Speak

[Johnny Pneumatic]

How does scientific classification names work? What I'm wanting his how can I make up real classification names for creatures I make up? For instance a GE human that lives in the water would be Homo aquaticus wouldn't it? For anything beyond this though I'm stumped, how do I do it? Thanks.

 

[McFunley]

It looks like the species name can be somewhat arbitrary.

The species descriptor should be an adjective that differentiates a species from other members of a genus. The genus name and species descriptor are usually derived from Latin, although Latin derivation is not universal. Names sometimes come from Ancient Greek, or from local languages, or from the name of the person who first discovered the species. In fact, taxonomists come up with species names from a variety of sources, including in-jokes and puns. However, names are always treated grammatically as if they were Latin words. For this reason the binomial name of a species is sometimes called its "Latin name," although this terminology is frowned upon by biologists. The term scientific name, however, is considered acceptable.

from here.

 

[Dilb]

A great example of funny naming is Strigiphilus garylarsoni, a type of chewing louse found on owls. It was named in honour of Gary Larson, who drew The Farside.

Of course, to classify it as a new species you'd have to show it was sufficiently different, the usual criteria being that it can't produce viable offspring with a close relative species (or any other, but it's basically assumed that if it doesn't work with humans, it won't work with chimps/cows/daffodils).

The other parts (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus) should be decided based on the evolutionary history and defining characteristics of the organism.

 

[plindboe]

This article seems to address the latin name stuff, and how scientists aren't good at it:

http://www.discovery.com/area/skinnyon/skinnyon970919/skinnyon.html

 

[athon]

Hey Skep,

I almost don't want to suggest this, as it's an idea I was toying with using myself one day. But hey, I guess I'm in a generous mood.

If you wanting to classify newly created organisms as per the old Linnean system, they would need to be in accordance with the rules. In other words, if it can mate and produce viable offspring it is in the same species (no comments on the validity of this in terms of how useful it really is). Or having subspecies if you see enough variation between two populations.

Hence if you clone a human and alter it, but it is still within the species, it would be (e.g.) Homo sapien aquaticus.

But, I'm sorry to say I've seen it done before in a few short stories.

Why not simply create a novel system that revolves around genetic manipulation? Use codes to indicate if the organism is artificial, what its orginal species were, etc.

Just a thought. Good luck.

Athon