iczn

The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is the set of rules and recommendations used for naming animals, maintained by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, an international nongovernmental organization. It provides the formal framework for the naming of animal taxa from species to higher ranks and seeks to promote stability and universality in zoological nomenclature.

The Code governs what makes a name available, how names are published, and how to resolve issues arising from synonyms, homonyms, and misapplications. It relies on principles such as priority, where the earliest available name takes precedence, and the use of type specimens to anchor names to physical reference points (for example, holotypes, lectotypes, and neotypes). The Code also defines how new taxa are described and named, and sets rules for subsequent changes such as emendations and the designation of replacement names.

Organization and operation: The ICZN is governed by a Commission whose members are zoologists from various countries. The Commission issues Opinions that interpret the Code and occasionally updates or clarifies its provisions. The Code has undergone several revisions, with widely referenced editions in 1961, 1985, and 1999, along with ongoing online updates and supplementary opinions.

Relation to other codes: The ICZN covers animals, while other groups of organisms (such as plants, fungi, and bacteria) are governed by separate nomenclatural codes administered by different bodies. The ICZN collaborates with the broader taxonomic community to promote consistent naming practices across zoology and related disciplines.