[Taxacom] italicizing names

[Patrick, Brian]

Hello everyone,

A colleague writing (revising, actually) an introductory biology textbook has agreed that my suggestion of why species names are italicized would be an interesting addition to the introductory text.  Of course, this begs the question of exactly why we italicize below the sub-family designation.

I would like to provide this colleague with the wording of the ICZN as it may pertain to this particular question.  I thought that the Code made specific reference to genera and specific epithets as Latinized words, thereby necessitating italicizing the names.  For names above the rank of genus group, as I read the code it only states that there should be standardized endings (articles 4, 11, 29, 31.1, etc...), but no explanation of why these, too, are not italicized.

My assumption is that the genus and specific epithet are specifically to be Latinized, while others are merely words that have standardized ending, not necessarily making them Latinized.

This seems overly simplistic, but an explanation would be useful.  Are there specific articles of the ICZN that govern this and that I am missing?

Thank you for your time!

Best regards, Brian

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L. Brian Patrick, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology and Chair
Department of Biological Sciences
Dakota Wesleyan University
1200 W. University Ave.
Mitchell, SD  57301