I've expressed my views on this issue before, but it really frustrates me. Every time I research for a fish identification, I end up searching through many different names for the same fish. There are usually multiple common names, multiple scientific synonyms, and the current accepted scientific name for a fish. It creates mass confusion. Here's my proposal to streamline the system:
- For existing described species, each fish would be assigned a serial number in addition to it's scientific name. The serial number would not be representative of genus or species. Just a number. This would make it easy to catalog every fish regardless of it's genus or species. If a fish were to change genus or species name, the number would be retained. The only obstacle I can foresee is when two different morphs that previously were considered the same are split.
- For newly described species, each fish would be assigned a scientific name and a common name by the discoverer. An international taxonomy board would review each common and scientific name. Both must include some clue as to the identifying characteristics of the species. No more naming fish after your mom, your best friend, or some guy that borrowed you his boat and snorkel to go collecting. The board would then assign a serial number to that species which would not change.
- If a species were to be reclassified into a different genus, the genus name would change, but the species name and serial number would remain the same. If the species name was no longer appropriate, that would also change but the serial number would remain the same for that specimen.
- A searchable database would be created by the International Taxonomy board and made available online.
wow, and if i had to pronounce your species more than once wurm i think my head would explode