I have been wondering why “ssp” is included before subspecies name(s) on iNat. I think it is not needed at all and it only makes it inconvinient to copy and paste scientific names. For example Columba livia ssp. domestica Are there any reasons for this? If not I will request removing the “ssp”.

Thanks all. I get it now. Apparently, what we need is to make name search in iNat possible with ssp. or var. in scientific names.

I think this existing feature request (from a while ago that hasn’t received much attention) addresses the issue being discussed.

What’s particularly odd in this specific case is that no taxonomic organization I’m aware of recognizes C. l. “domestica” as a valid subspecies anymore. The feral birds, for example, in North America are generally considered to be C. l. livia.

The name domestica is probably only useful to distinguish feral birds derived from domestic breeds where more than one natural subspecies may have been involved in past captive breeding. Which might include all, but we probably don’t know.

Keep in mind some animals use non-subspecies too, besides variants, e.g. Entomobrya clitellaria f. nigrita . I am on the side of removing “ssp.” though, it should be the default. I think the others should stay for when they’re being used, and it should be understood that otherwise the third nomen rep…

[image] Arman: it should be understood that otherwise the third nomen represents a subspecies designation, as to my understanding it’s usually the default in taxonomy. That’s the default in animal taxonomy. It’s not the default in plant taxonomy.

In botany, is it simply incorrect to not specify what the third nomen represents then, or is there another default? I feel like I’ve seen trinomial plant names mentioned without any specification in papers before.

The problem is that both subspecies (ssp. or subsp.) and variety (var.) are have taxonomic status. More or less equal taxonomic status*. I’m sure you’ve seen cases where the abbreviation is omitted – I’ve omitted it myself, occasionally – but that’s done only in very informal communications, and i…

[image] sedgequeen: The problem is that both subspecies (ssp. or subsp.) and variety (var.) are have taxonomic status. I’m curious now, is there an example of a plant species that has both a subspecies and a variety? I searched for a bit but all I can find is species that have lots of subspec…

What's the point of having "ssp" in scientific names on iNat?

General

sedgequeen September 24, 2022, 11:16pm 17

That’s the default in animal taxonomy. It’s not the default in plant taxonomy.

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What's the point of having "ssp" in scientific names on iNat?

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