The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is a set of rules and guidelines that governs the scientific naming of animals. It is the internationally recognized authority for establishing the official scientific names for animals, ensuring stability and consistency in zoological nomenclature.
The ICZN provides a framework for assigning unique and standardized names to animals at various taxonomic ranks, such as species, genus, and family. It sets out principles and regulations to ensure that names are valid and universally accepted, facilitating effective communication and accurate identification of organisms across different fields of biological research and conservation efforts.
The Code establishes rules for the formation, spelling, and usage of scientific names, as well as guidelines for naming new taxa, setting priorities among competing names, and resolving nomenclatural disputes. It also provides mechanisms for making corrections, amendments, and revisions to names already in use.
The ICZN is overseen by an international commission, which periodically revises and updates the Code to incorporate new developments in taxonomy and nomenclature. It acts as a reference and standard for taxonomists, biologists, and other professionals involved in the study and classification of animals.
Compliance with the ICZN ensures that the scientific names used in zoology are valid, widely recognized, and consistent, thus contributing to the clarity, accuracy, and stability of scientific communication in the field of animal taxonomy.
