Learn How to: Write A Scientific Name

Question

What part do you capitalize?

Bess Ruff, MA
Environmental Scientist

Bess Ruff is a Scientist based in Sydney, Australia. Her research interests and previous scientific experience include environmental science, geography, biotechnology, mariculture, marine spatial planning, stakeholder engagement, and spatial ecology. She is a Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Sydney and a Project Manager at Offshore Biotechnologies. Prior to her work in Sydney, Bess was a Postdoctoral Researcher for over 2 years at Florida State University. She received a PhD in Geography from Florida State University, with a doctoral dissertation entitled "Culturing a Sustainable Seafood Future: How Governance, Economics, and Society Are Driving the Global Marine Aquaculture Industry”. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group.

Bess Ruff, MA

Environmental Scientist

Expert Answer

In general, you will always capitalize the first letter in the first word of the species name, known as the genus name. If you're using the scientific name in the title of a paper, essay, or publication, you will capitalize all letters of the scientific name.

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Question

How about writing the subspecies? Is it same like species?

Han

Community Answer

The subspecies name follows the species name, is italicized, but does not get a capital letter (just like the species name). The basic format is thus "''Genus species subspecies''". For example, ''Elephas maximus indicus'' for Indian elephant. In botany, the subspecies name is preceded by an unitalicized "sups." or "ssp." For example, ''Raphanus raphanistrum'' subsp. ''sativus'' for radish.

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Question

When writing a title in a publication or thesis, is it necessary to italicize after writing the names in capital letters?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

No, it's not necessary. You can format your text any way you like. Just make sure to format all items of a category the same way. If you use quotes, for example, format them the same way throughout the entire text. If your publisher or target audience has formatting preferences or requirements, ask for those and apply them.

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Question

For Anemone virginiana var. cylindroidea, do I abbreviate to A. virginiana var. cylindroidea throughout the paper, or is there a shorter option?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

You're free to do what you like.The first time you use any term, write it in full. If across 100 pages it is used only, for example, three times, then always just write the full term. The more it's used, the shorter your abbreviation; that just makes it easier to read. If you use an unconventional abbreviation, mention that: "[the long term] can be a mouthful, so for the rest of the paper I will refer to it as "AVVC"." Really, you can abbreviate it any way you like. If you have many such terms, include a glossary or provide the full name in parentheses after the abbreviation now and then as a reminder.

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Question

Is this the correct way to write the plant name dogwood (Cornus florida) in an article?

Thatonequeerkid42

Top Answerer

To write the scientific name of the flowering dogwood, use Cornus florida in italics.

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Question

What is the scientific name of sweet corn?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

The scientific name for sweet corn is Zea mays.

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Question

What is the scientific name for a cat?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

The scientific name for a domestic cat is *Felis catus*.

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Question

When should I abbreviate a genus name?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

You should abbreviate the genus name after its first full mention within a document or text. However, be cautious if two different genera share the same initial; in such cases, it is best to write out the full name of both to avoid confusion.

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Question

How do I underline the scientific name P. ovale?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

When you write *Plasmodium ovale* and italics are not possible, you should underline it. Underline each part of the name separately, not with one continuous line. If you are abbreviating the genus, write it as *P. ovale*.

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Question

How should I correctly write both the common and generic names of an organism in an article?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

When writing an article, you should italicize the generic (scientific) name, capitalizing the genus and keeping the species lowercase (e.g., *Canis lupus*). If italics are not possible, underline each part separately (e.g., Canis lupus). Common names are typically written in plain text and lowercase, unless they include a proper noun (e.g., “gray wolf” or “American robin”). It is best practice to present both forms together the first time you mention an organism, such as *Canis lupus* (gray wolf).

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Question

How should "Bos indicus" be written scientifically?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

To write "Bos indicus" scientifically, ensure the genus (Bos) is capitalized and the species (indicus) is lowercase, with both words italicized. If italics are not available, you can underline them. The full name should be used at first mention, and then you can abbreviate it as "B. indicus" in subsequent mentions.

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Question

When writing a scientific name, should I underline the entire name, including the space between the genus and species, or should each part be underlined separately?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

You should underline each part of the scientific name separately. Do not underline the space between the genus and species.

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Question

How do I write a scientific name with an author and variety?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

A scientific name with an author and variety follows a specific structure. The genus is capitalized and italicized, the species is lowercase and italicized, and the author’s name (e.g., L.) is not italicized. The abbreviation 'var.' is lowercase and not italicized, while the variety name is italicized with a lowercase initial letter.

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Question

What is the botanical name of ashok?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

Its botanical name is Saraca asoca.

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Question

When writing scientific names, such as *Bacillus amyloliquefaciens*, should I capitalize the entire name, especially if it appears in a product name?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

No, you should never fully capitalize scientific names. Only the first letter of the genus name is capitalized, and the species epithet remains in lowercase. For example, the correct way to write *Bacillus amyloliquefaciens* is with 'Bacillus' capitalized and 'amyloliquefaciens' lowercase.

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Question

When writing a scientific name, should I underline the genus and species together or separately?

EpcotMagic

Top Answerer

When underlining a scientific name, you should leave a gap between the genus and species.

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