Possibility and challenges of conversion of current virus species names to Linnaean binomials

Systematic Biology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Botanical, mycological, zoological, and prokaryotic species names follow the Linnaean format, consisting of an italicized Latinized binomen with a capitalized genus name and a lower case species epithet (e.g., Homo sapiens). Virus species names, however, do not follow a uniform format, and, even when binomial, are not Linnaean in style. In this thought exercise, we attempted to convert all currently official names of species included in the virus family Arenaviridae and the virus order Mononegavirales to Linnaean binomials, and to identify and address associated challenges and concerns. Surprisingly, this endeavor was not as complicated or time-consuming as even the authors of this article expected when conceiving the experiment.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Possibility and challenges of conversion of current virus species names to Linnaean binomials
Series title Systematic Biology
DOI 10.1093/sysbio/syw096
Volume 66
Issue 3
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher Society of Systematic Biologists
Contributing office(s) Western Fisheries Research Center
Description 11 p.
First page 463
Last page 473
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