Valid name (zoology)

Not to be confused with botany's validly published name, which is equivalent to zoology's available name

In zoological nomenclature, the valid name of a taxon is the correct scientific name for that taxon.[1] The valid name must be used for that taxon, regardless of any other name that may currently be used for that taxon, or may previously have been used. A name can only be valid (or invalid) when it is an available name under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN); if a name is unavailable, then it cannot be considered either valid or invalid.[2]

In contrast, a name which is available but not the correct name for a taxon is known as an invalid name.[3]

There are two categories of invalid names.

  1. ^ "Biological Nomenclature". Department of Biology, Saint Louis University. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  2. ^ "ICZN Code - Introduction". International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  3. ^ Hamish Robertson. "How animals are given scientific names". Biodiversity Explorer, Iziko Museums of Cape Town. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2011.