How to … Find nomenclatural help
These nomenclatural "How-to" guides are designed for students and newcomers to nomenclature. They provide handy, concise guides to navigating the complexities of correctly naming taxa, determining the correct names of taxa, and other nomenclatural actions that together comprise our system of nomenclature under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants.
Use this index to navigate to the "How-to" guides by topic.
If you want more nomenclatural how-to guides, please submit a question here. IAPT members can also ask questions of other IAPT members on the Nomenclatural Forum.
Another useful resource is Nick Turland's The Code Decoded.
Alll the how-to guides presented here are based on the Shenzhen Code.
Remember that these pages, and The Code Decoded, are intended as helpful guides only. You should always consult the Code itself for a definitive answer to any question. Links to appropriate Articles of the Code are given in these guides.
How to ...
Tell if my new species is already named
Tell if a specific epithet is preoccupied
Correctly form a specific epithet
Write a protologue for a new species name
Indicate the nomenclatural status of a new name
Choose a type specimen for a name of a new species
Effectively publish a new name
Ensure best practice for effective publication
Understand the types of types
Tell if a name is legitimate or illegitimate
Fully and directly cite a name
Tell if a generic name already exists
Write a protologue for a new generic name
Choose a type for a name of a new genus
Use the International Plant Names Index
Do you have another general nomenclatural question, and want a how-to guide to help?
You can submit questions here.