I remember as a youngster learning about the "scientific names" of various living organisms. The entire phylogenetic tree idea sounded like...and is...a great way to accurately describe how closely or distantly related various species are. The actual designated nomenclature for a species...i.e. the two part name, genus (capitalized) and species...was touted as the only way to be certain which species of organism was being discussed. A plant or animal may have many "common" names, used in various areas or by various cultures or groups, but only the one true scientific designation, which would remove all confusion and doubt...right?
Hah! Not even close! The scientific community is rife with experts, both established ones and also up-and-coming eager beavers, all working feverishly to make their indelible mark on human knowledge. Full species are downgraded to mere sub-species (the third part of the name that is sometimes seen). Sub-species are upgraded to full species status. New genera are created by splitting up old ones, or vice versa. Researchers devote years to "prove" that this fish, with 3 pores on the bottom of each jaw, is actually a completely new species and must be distinguished from that almost-identical fish over there with 4 pores. Debates rage over which changes are accepted and which are not. The same species of fish may have had three, four or more "correct" scientific designations (synonyms) over the past years or decades, and various authors may use various of these names depending upon which school of thought they follow.
Meanwhile, hobbyists are forever creating hybrids...unnatural monsters that are apparently brought into being "just because we can". Species that have no range overlap in nature are cross-bred and bred back to each other, resulting in critters that no one can properly identify. Some creatures are virtually extinct as true, pure species; all individuals contain some portion of DNA from related animals that were bred into the line at some point.
And what is a "species" anyway? It's a made-up categorization, an artificial construct which was once used to describe a group of animals which would "breed true" and avoid breeding with individuals of other groups. Today...with DNA analysis, artificial crossbreeding, manual stripping of eggs and sperm from two different types, introduction of genes from unrelated organisms and other styles of genetic manipulation...the term is almost meaningless.
Then you have the various collection point designations that are now tacked onto the end of the scientific names, usually in quotation marks. This way, a purple-spotted gazork which was collected from some exotic-sounding locale can be readily distinguished from another purple-spotted gazork that originated from the next drainage over. Aquarists were once happy to purchase captive-bred specimens of their favourite fish, knowing that these would be likely hardier and better-suited to captive conditions and water. But captive-bred fish, especially many generations in, often lost some colour, some size, perhaps some charisma, compared to their wild-caught brethren. As a result the F1, F2 and-so-on specimens were passed over in favour of the wild-caught beauties with documented provenance: "fresh from the polluted and parasite-laden waters of the Upper Warthog River drainage and now in your living room!"
So, hop on down to your LFS and pick up a few new fish today. Call 'em whatever you want; no matter what you say, someone will say you're wrong, but will likely be unable to definitively prove you wrong.
Hah! Not even close! The scientific community is rife with experts, both established ones and also up-and-coming eager beavers, all working feverishly to make their indelible mark on human knowledge. Full species are downgraded to mere sub-species (the third part of the name that is sometimes seen). Sub-species are upgraded to full species status. New genera are created by splitting up old ones, or vice versa. Researchers devote years to "prove" that this fish, with 3 pores on the bottom of each jaw, is actually a completely new species and must be distinguished from that almost-identical fish over there with 4 pores. Debates rage over which changes are accepted and which are not. The same species of fish may have had three, four or more "correct" scientific designations (synonyms) over the past years or decades, and various authors may use various of these names depending upon which school of thought they follow.
Meanwhile, hobbyists are forever creating hybrids...unnatural monsters that are apparently brought into being "just because we can". Species that have no range overlap in nature are cross-bred and bred back to each other, resulting in critters that no one can properly identify. Some creatures are virtually extinct as true, pure species; all individuals contain some portion of DNA from related animals that were bred into the line at some point.
And what is a "species" anyway? It's a made-up categorization, an artificial construct which was once used to describe a group of animals which would "breed true" and avoid breeding with individuals of other groups. Today...with DNA analysis, artificial crossbreeding, manual stripping of eggs and sperm from two different types, introduction of genes from unrelated organisms and other styles of genetic manipulation...the term is almost meaningless.
Then you have the various collection point designations that are now tacked onto the end of the scientific names, usually in quotation marks. This way, a purple-spotted gazork which was collected from some exotic-sounding locale can be readily distinguished from another purple-spotted gazork that originated from the next drainage over. Aquarists were once happy to purchase captive-bred specimens of their favourite fish, knowing that these would be likely hardier and better-suited to captive conditions and water. But captive-bred fish, especially many generations in, often lost some colour, some size, perhaps some charisma, compared to their wild-caught brethren. As a result the F1, F2 and-so-on specimens were passed over in favour of the wild-caught beauties with documented provenance: "fresh from the polluted and parasite-laden waters of the Upper Warthog River drainage and now in your living room!"
So, hop on down to your LFS and pick up a few new fish today. Call 'em whatever you want; no matter what you say, someone will say you're wrong, but will likely be unable to definitively prove you wrong.
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