Writing for science

In order to understand the relationships of all life on earth, scientists have created a vast phylogenetic tree. This tree maps the relationship of each species with its nearest relatives and ancestral forms, taking us on a journey which depicts the current diversity of species down through billions of years of evolution to the simplest forms of life at the time of least diversity (of course this is a great simplification of the story of life on earth and how we express it). So each individual belongs to a species or kind, which in turn belongs to a genus which is very often a group of a species’ closest relatives. The genus is similarly part of a family which in turn is part of an order which is part of class which is part of a phylum which is part of kingdom. Each of these groups can be further divided to express the diversity and complexity of each category.

In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s when this system was being devised by Carol Linnaeus, the language of science was the language of learning: Latin and Ancient Greek. Thus a species’ name is expressed in Latin, Ancient Greek or words which are constructed to appear as if they are Latin or Ancient Greek. Sometimes eponymous names (names of celebrated people) or places are used and these may be “latinised”.

Common names

When we write about a species generally we express it with its common name, one which is in general use and the language of our culture. For instance, the White-throated Treecreeper. Most countries have national ornithological organisations which govern the use of common names. Here in Australia that is BirdLife Australia which manages the Working List of Australian Birds.

Scientific names

When we write about a species in a more scientific context we use the Latin name, or binomial protocol, which is as its name suggests the use of two names: the genus and the species. In this case the White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaea. Note that the genus is always capitalised and the species is never capitalised. We should always use italics.

On the first instance of use of a species name in each section of a paper or chapter of book we write the name in full: Cormobates leucophaea. On subsequent use of the name we may abbreviate the genus: C. leucophaea. Note the full stop/period after the genus name.

If we are writing about the Brown Treecreeper Climacterus picumnus and the Red-browed Treecreeper, we may also abbreviate the binomial name of the latter, C. erythrops, as both C. picumnus and C. erythrops are in the same genus.

If we are writing about the White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaea and the Red-browed Treecreeper, we do not abbreviate the binomial name of the latter, Climacteris erythrops, as they are not in the same genus. Sometimes we see Co. leucophaea and Cl. erythrops used and whilst this is acceptable it can become clumsy if multiple cases are used.

If we are writing about a subspecies such as the central Queensland White-throated Treecreeper we should write in the first instance Cormobates leucophaea minor but in subsequent use an abbreviation: C. l. minor. Note that in other areas of science conventions might differ in this respect.

Sometimes genus names are so well known that we might forgo the whole spelling of the generic name in the first instance, ie. E. coli or H. sapiens. However, caution should be observed.

Higher taxonomic levels

When writing of higher taxonomic levels such as family, order, class and so on, we should capitalise the names but not italicise them, ie, the Treecreeper family Climacteridae of the order Passeriformes.

Unknown species

When writing of an unknown species we may use “sp.”: There was an unidentifiable Climacteris sp. on the distant tree trunks, or: There were several unidentifiable Climacteris spp. on the distant tree trunks. Note that the “sp.” and “spp.” are not italicised as they are not actual names.

Further reading

The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
The Chicago Manual of Style
Scientific Style and Format