italicized latin names

[Alan Harvey]

Folks,

I've been asked by our publications department (popular press) why generic
and specific scientific names are italicized/underlined, but not any of the
higher ranks.  To be truthful, I'd never really given it much thought.  The
Z-Code recommends this arrangement, but doesn't give the underlying
rationale.  Anyone know the story/history behind this (he asks, hoping the
answer's not pitifully obvious)?

Cheers,

Alan

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Alan W. Harvey (aharvey at amnh.org)
Assistant Curator of Invertebrates
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024
(212) 769-5638; fax (212) 769-5783