[Taxacom] Abbreviation of Latin genus names

[Robin Leech]

Hi Paul, 

Thanks for the short Latin Lesson. 

I can recall in my youth when the abbreviation of various mosquito genera was an "A." 
But, there was a very quick realization that there could be confusion with Aedes and Anopheles when abbreviatons were used. 
I do recall the grumblings and such at that time.  But, there should have been no grumblings, as 
those who used "A." for Aedes should have realized with the Latin Grammar law that they should be useing "Ae.".  

And as you probably know, "Ae." Was adopted fairly quickly.  It is unfortunate that more of us are not steeped in Latin.
My former professor, Dr George Ball is, and discussions with him have solved a few problems.

Robin


-----Original Message-----
From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu [mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Paul van Rijckevorsel
Sent: October-12-13 2:13 AM
To: TAXACOM
Subject: Re: [Taxacom] Abbreviation of Latin genus names

From: "Weakley, Alan" <weakley at bio.unc.edu>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2013 11:53 PM


> The issue of how to abbreviate these is kind of a fraught editorial issue. 
> In the olden days, when we were more literate and Latinate, no-one 
> would have abbreviated Aegilops tauschii as A. tauschii; that is 
> wrong!  The "Ae" letter combination is not separable

***
I would say this is indeed an editorial issue, a matter of editorial policy of the magazine concerned. These days it seems to be common to just use a single letter.

Do note that "Ae" does not necessarily equate to "Æ": it is
(was)  Æsculus  but there is also  Aëtoxylon.

Paul





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