What's with the names?
- Thread starter ewurm
- Start date
true. of course we are seeing this now with the fancy plecos and panaques..with their L numbers.
I always pronounced it "bi - kir" Thats how my ichthyology professor used to pronounce it. However, after a little research it seems that the word is of French origin, leading the pronunciation to be more of a "bee-sheer"
As far as naming organisms go, it's complicated. Back when taxonomy was first introduced, Linneaus and others were using Greek and Latin to describe different characteristics of the animals. As time went on it slowly dwindled to using peoples names and such. I personally know of a person who discovered a new species of cyanobacterium that they named after themselves. However, it's only the species name that will be named after a person. I do believe that Genus names and higher all describe the animal in greek or latin. I could be wrong, but I don't think I've come across a genus which is named after a person. We're generally taught to break down family, order, genus, etc. names to figure out the meanings.
The common name is just crap, it makes things very difficult to comprehend. However, as previously stated common names are flashy and how can you advertise your painted glass fish or blueberry oscars with their scientific names?!?! I mean according to their common names they're just regular fish, but they're physically altered and that makes them so much more awesome!
As far as naming organisms go, it's complicated. Back when taxonomy was first introduced, Linneaus and others were using Greek and Latin to describe different characteristics of the animals. As time went on it slowly dwindled to using peoples names and such. I personally know of a person who discovered a new species of cyanobacterium that they named after themselves. However, it's only the species name that will be named after a person. I do believe that Genus names and higher all describe the animal in greek or latin. I could be wrong, but I don't think I've come across a genus which is named after a person. We're generally taught to break down family, order, genus, etc. names to figure out the meanings.
The common name is just crap, it makes things very difficult to comprehend. However, as previously stated common names are flashy and how can you advertise your painted glass fish or blueberry oscars with their scientific names?!?! I mean according to their common names they're just regular fish, but they're physically altered and that makes them so much more awesome!
Either bichir or polypterus is appropriate IMO but I always loathe a lot of common names for being vague and too fancy.
For several years there was no real taxonomic name for polypterids.The CH in latin is pronounced as a K sound so bichir was pronounced biKir-Anne
I've been hearing/reading more and more of that, Anne....
I'll (try to) say it that way from now on.... I can tell everyone I have a Bichir gang.
I'll (try to) say it that way from now on.... I can tell everyone I have a Bichir gang.
i agree with u ewurm...
loving the made up names, u really see peoples creativeness come out lol
loving the made up names, u really see peoples creativeness come out lol
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMAN BRO!!! I thought about this many-many years ago,you are absolutely 10000000% right,i dont know what to add you said it beautifully.....ewurm;834134; said:
