[Taxacom] Objective synonyms?

[Stephen Thorpe]

Paul said:

>No, that is really silly. The name "bus" (used in different combinations) is one and the same specific name (or the same species-group name in a wider sense). It is not a synonym of itself

Not so silly, actually! Real example: the name vulgaris, as used in the combination Vespula vulgaris is NOT an objective synonym of the name vulgaris as used in the combination Panorpa vulgaris. I have told you something both true and nontrivial. In other words, although the specific epithets are the same (i.e., both 'vulgaris'), they refer to different species, which would not be so if Panorpa vulgaris had been recombined as Vespula vulgaris.

Another real example: the name muscosoides, as used in the combination Hypena muscosoides, IS an objective synonym of the name muscosa, as used in the combination Hypena muscosa (it is a replacement name)

Every name IS trivially a synonym of itself

It may sound trivial, but it is just an attempt to render precise and consistent what we mean by synonymy ...

Stephen


________________________________
From: "dipteryx at freeler.nl" <dipteryx at freeler.nl>
To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu
Sent: Sat, 29 May, 2010 7:48:18 PM
Subject: Re: [Taxacom] Objective synonyms?

Van: Stephen Thorpe [mailto:stephen_thorpe at yahoo.co.nz]
Verzonden: za 29-5-2010 9:17

>> All these technical terms have precisely defined meanings

> Now THAT I really do doubt!

***
I can not help that, but it is so nevertheless. Reading the 
Glossary of the ICZN gives me a headache, as many entries 
refer to other entries, which have to be understood in turn 
(and which sometimes refer to yet other entries), but it holds 
together quite well. Easy to read, no; well-designed, no;
precise, yes.
* * * 

One could say that the name bus, as used in the combination Aus bus, 
is an objective synonym of the name bus, 

***
No, that is really silly. The name "bus" (used in different
combinations) is one and the same specific name (or the same 
species-group name in a wider sense). It is not a synonym of itself.

Paul

      

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