The International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature, known as the PhyloCode for short, is a formal set of rules governing phylogenetic nomenclature. Its current version is specifically designed to regulate the naming of clades, leaving the governance of species names up to the rank-based nomenclature codes (ICN, ICNCP, ICNP, ICZN, ICVCN).
The PhyloCode is associated with the International Society for Phylogenetic Nomenclature (ISPN).[1] The companion volume, Phylonyms, establishes 300 taxon names under PhyloCode, serving as examples for those unfamiliar with the code.[2] RegNum is an associated online database for registered clade names.[3]
The PhyloCode regulates phylogenetic nomenclature by providing rules for deciding which associations of names and definitions are considered established,[4] which of those will be considered homonyms[5] or synonyms,[6] and which one of a set of synonyms or homonyms will be considered accepted (generally the one registered first; see below). The PhyloCode only governs the naming of clades,[7] not of paraphyletic or polyphyletic groups, and only allows the use of specimens, species, and apomorphies as specifiers (anchors).[8]