[Taxacom] italicizing names

[Robin Leech]

Hi Brian, 

I think it goes a little deeper than that.  Subspecific names, i.e., trinomials, are also italicized. 

But as for the reason.  I believe that they are italized because they are Latin words, 
and secondly because they are foreign words.  ALL DONE IN THE NAME OF CONVENTION.

This program will not allow me to italicize, but ordinarily these words are italicized in printed English text:

Let's look at these Latin words: ad hoc; et cetera; ad naseum; and many more.
Then there are non-Latin words: esprit de corps; hors de combat; joie de vie; Zeitgeist; and many more.

The foreign text words, once we start using them commonly, are less and less frequently italicized.
For example, we used to (50 years ago) italicize i.e., e.g., et al., but we do not standarly italicize these any more. 

We used to put Dr., Mr., Mrs., but no more (for at least 25 years).  They are now Dr, Mr, and Mrs.

I will say that it sure makes it easier to find a genus name, or a genus/specific epithet/subspecific epithet on  a page.

Robin

-----Original Message-----
From: Taxacom [mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Patrick, Brian
Sent: May-08-15 9:12 AM
To: (taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu)
Subject: [Taxacom] italicizing names

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

----------------------------------------------------------------
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

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