Nomen dubium facts for kids

A nomen dubium is a Latin phrase that means "doubtful name." In the world of zoology, it's a scientific name that scientists are not sure about or find difficult to use.

This happens when it's hard to tell if a specific animal specimen belongs to that named group.

What Makes a Name Doubtful?

A scientific name can become doubtful for a few reasons.

Lost or Damaged Original Specimens

Sometimes, the original type specimen (the specific animal example used to describe a species) gets lost or destroyed. Imagine trying to identify a new animal if the only original example of its species is gone! Without that key specimen, it becomes very hard to compare new animals to the original description.

Incomplete Fossils

Another reason a name might be doubtful is if the original specimen is very incomplete. This often happens with fossils. If a species is known only from a small bone fragment, it can be hard to find enough unique features to clearly identify other fossils as belonging to the same species.

Choosing a New Type Specimen

To help keep scientific names clear and stable, there are rules. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature allows scientists to choose a new type specimen. This new specimen is called a neotype. A neotype helps make sure that the name can be used properly again, even if the original specimen is missing or damaged.

Why Are These Names Important?

Nomina dubia are part of how scientists organize and name all living things. This system is called taxonomy. By identifying and sometimes fixing these "doubtful names," scientists can make sure that everyone is talking about the same species. This helps keep the study of animals clear and organized around the world.

See also

In Spanish: Nomen dubium para niños