In the scientific name of organisms, basionym or basyonym[1][2] means the original name on which a new name is based; the author citation of the new name should include the authors of the basionym in parentheses. The term "basionym" is used in both botany and zoology.[3] In zoology, alternate terms such as original combination[4] or protonym[5] are sometimes used instead. Bacteriology uses a similar term, basonym, spelled without an i.[6]
Although "basionym" and "protonym" are often used interchangeably, they have slightly different technical definitions. A basionym is the correct spelling of the original name (according to the applicable nomenclature rules), while a protonym is the original spelling of the original name.[5] These are typically the same, but in rare cases may differ.
Although the word 'Basionym' is more frequently used in botanical contexts than in zoological contexts, the basic concept applies equally to both (and is becoming more commonly used in zoological contexts).
A scientific name in its original combination, authorship and date (or more directly, the Reference association). (Pyle 2003) ; Not to be confused with "protonym" sensu Dubois.
Basionym – a previously published legitimate name-bringing or epithet-bringing synonym from which a new name is formed for a taxon of different rank or position (term used in botanical nomenclature; ICBN 2006); correct spelling of the protonym (DUBOIS 2000). [...] Protonym – original morphonym of a hoplonym (DUBOIS 2000, 2005a).