Attention, question: Should the scientific names of animals dedicated to Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini by those who discovered or described them, for example, be changed or retained? The scientific community is divided. While there are voices pushing for changes to the names of species that resemble aggressive humans, the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the organization that regulates scientific names, opposes this.
The origins of the latest confusion (actually three complexes) date back to the 1930s. In 1934, German paleontologist Paul Guthöri gave it this name. Rochlingia hits Still giant flying insectA fly that became extinct 300 million years ago, the fossil remains of which he found. The name was an homage to Hitler and Nazi merchant Hermann Röchling.
Three years later or a year ago, depending on the source, Austrian amateur entomologist Oskar Scheibel, himself a Hitler admirer, decided to name it. Anophthalmus hits Still blind bug Found in some caves in Slovenia.
Also, in those years giant butterfly It was discovered in Libya, which was then occupied by Italy, and took this name. Mussolinii in hippopIt is a tribute to the fascist dictator.
A moth with small reproductive organs named Donald Trump
Not just them “problematic” names in the animal kingdom, and indeed scientific designations are still sometimes used in homage or even mockery. One of the latest jokes is the name a group of scientists chose for a project. moth yellow hair and small genitals: neopalpa donaldtrumpi.
Some researchers have been asking for years Changing the scientific names given to people associated with dictators, racism, sexism, slavery or colonialism. “They claim that they offended many people and they question themselves.”ethical compliance“.
Purpose: stability and universality
Rejection by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature changing scientific names for ethical reasons It sparked a fierce debate. Members of this organization published an article explaining their reasons in the ‘Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society’ on January 23. The main thing is this It will threaten the “stability of nomenclature and scientific communication”.
The first paragraph of the article summarizes their argument: “Scientific names are fundamental to the biological sciences. Because they serve as primary labels for taxa, Fixed, universally accepted scientific names are very important For clear data exchange and communication worldwide. “This is extremely important not only for science, but also for vital activities such as human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, fisheries, forestry and biological conservation.”
“The main purpose of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is to To ensure maximum universality and continuity in scientific names The commission states that “the classification of animals according to taxonomic criteria is compatible with the freedom of scientists”.
“As such, the Code has been the principal reference and working document that has regulated, informed and guided zoological terminology and its practitioners and users for over a century. promoting stability and universality“, To add.
The rules provide the opportunity to replace “inappropriate” names, but only refer to active data terms such as traits or distribution that are incorrectly associated with a taxon. And it’s clear when stating that The oldest available name for a particular taxon should be “the name to be used regardless of suitability”..
Moral provisions
Approximately 20% of all scientific names in use (more than 1.5 million) eponyms (names intended to honor a specific person or persons) and therefore represent the most common class that can cause offense.
The Commission emphasizes that: place names (nouns that refer to a place or topographic feature) represent around 10% of the total and “can also be perceived as disruptive, for example if disputes arise about places, countries or borders.”
In such a way”several hundred thousand accepted scientific names are questionable“The Commission underlines this, arguing that changing scientific names because they are considered offensive is not and should not be regulated by the Law.” almost impossible task“.
Although the commission acknowledged that some scientific names may be the cause “nuisance or crime“to some segments of society”Commitment to a stable and universal nomenclature community remains a priority“.
Any assessment of the morality or aggressive character of honest people”subjective“, he insists. And it would therefore be “inappropriate” for the Commission to decide on such matters. moral issues“.
Because “also As attitudes change in the future, there is a possibility that neutral, non-offensive names suggested as substitutes will be considered offensive“This will produce new replacement names,” he says.
‘Hitler’ bug is in danger of extinction
What do those who demand these “inappropriate” names be changed argue? Among other reasons, You can’t put “stability” before social justicepoints out Marcos Raposo, an ornithologist and taxonomist at the National Museum of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
They also emphasize this Hiding names with racist slurs ‘denies dignity to marginalized communities’. Some researchers have even suggested removing all names named in honor of people. Others “form” aspecial ethics committee“To check the names.
Common names are easier to change. For example, last year the Entomological Society of America changed its name. Lymantria dispar. It used to be ‘gypsy moth’, now it’s ‘fluffy moth’.
Going back to the beginning, some scientists advocate changing this name. Anophthalmus hits, but not for ethical reasons, or at least not just for that, but to prevent it from disappearing. Because in recent years Neo-Nazi sympathizers paid thousands of dollars for specimens of this species, pushing it to the brink of extinction.. Maybe by changing its name its survival will no longer be threatened.
Reference report: https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article/197/2/283/6994476?login=true+
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