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Introducing the Scientific Names of different organisms is a revolutionary discovery in Life science. The scientific name or terminology is a popular and Standard method of identifying species. Read the full article to learn how to write scientific names and 100+ Scientific Names of Common Animals and Plants.
Scientific Name
Most of the organisms and plants in our surroundings are commonly known by their local names. However, it is extremely challenging to identify an organism worldwide with their names in the local language. It is also hard to maintain track of the number of organisms when it has multiple local names, it is causing a lot of confusion. This uncertainty was eliminated by the development of the Scientific name or Binomial Nomenclature.
What is Binomial Nomenclature?
The scientific name or the binomial nomenclature of each organism usually has two terms.
Generic name – The first part of the binomial nomenclature is the generic name. The generic name, or the first portion of the name, identifies the genus to which the creature belongs. In the table below you can see that Homo and Malus are the Generic names.
Species name – The second part of the binomial nomenclature is the species name. The second portion, or specific name, identifies the precise species to which the creature belongs within the genus.
Local Names | binomial nomenclature | Generic Names | Species Name |
Modern Human | Homo sapiens | Homo | sapiens |
Apple | Malus domestica | Malus | domestic |
Who is the father of Scientific Names?
Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus pioneered the standard process of binomial nomenclature. Binomial nomenclature is the nomenclature consisting of two terms, genus, and species, of organisms.
Scientist Carolus Linnaeus first introduced binomial nomenclature. He published the first binomial nomenclature in his book ‘Species Plantarum’ in 1753 and later mentioned it in Systema Naturae (1758). According to the Scientific name or Binomial Nomenclature, every organism will have a single scientific name that is used universally to identify an organism.
How to Write Scientific Name?
Scientific Names of different animals are widely accepted all over the world. That’s why biologists from all around the world adhere to standard protocols to write the scientific name of an organism. Two international codes that are recognized by all biologists worldwide and are in charge of ensuring that every organism has a distinct identity that can be recognized globally serve to standardize the naming system. As follows:
- The biological nomenclature for plants is regulated by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN).
- The biological nomenclature of animals is regulated by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).
Rules to Write Scientific Name
Students must maintain some standard rules while using binomial nomenclature. The Scientific Name of every Organism consists of two parts: The first part is ‘Generic name’ and the Second Part is ‘Species Name ‘.Rules that we should follow while writing any Scientific Name are as follows:
Rules to Follow while writing binomial nomenclature
- A name has two components. The genus and species are identified by the first and second words, respectively.
- The names are capitalized if typed, Capitalize the generic name but not the specific name
- underline the whole scientific name.
- Every time, the genus name is read first.
- The genus name begins with a capital letter.
- the entire name should be italicized
- The species’ name begins with a small letter.
Example
Modern humans are referred to by the generic name Homo and the specific name Sapiens. The binomial nomenclature of Human will be – Homo sapiens
Scientific Names of Plants
Here is a list of some common scientific Names of Plants that are easily found in our surroundings.
Common Name | Scientific Name |
Apple | Malus domestica |
Capsicum |
Capsicum frutescens
|
Carrot | Daucas carota |
Clove |
Syzygium aromaticum
|
Coriander |
Coriandrum sativum
|
Bamboo |
Bamboosa aridinarifolia
|
Banana |
Musa paradisiaca
|
Banyan |
Ficus benghalensis
|
Black Gram | Plasoes mungo |
Black Pepper | Piper nigrum |
Brinjal |
Solanum melongena
|
Green Gram |
Phaseolies aulicus
|
Guava | Psidium guajava |
Henna |
Lawsonia inermis
|
Horse Gram | Dolichos biffoeus |
Jowar |
Sorghum vulgare
|
Lemon | Citrus limonium |
Curry plant | Murraya koenigii |
Drumstick | Moringa oleifera |
Garlic | Allium sativum |
Ginger |
Zingiber officinale
|
Orange | Citrus aurantium |
Pineapple |
Ananas comosus
|
Potato |
Solanum tuberosum
|
Radish |
Raphanus sativus
|
Red Gram | Cajanus cajan |
Sandalwood | Santalum album |
Spinach |
Spinacia oleracea
|
Maize | Zea mays |
Mango | Mangifera indica |
Mint | Mentha arvensis |
Money Plant |
Epipremnum aureum
|
Neem |
Azadirachta indica
|
Onion | Allium cepa |
Tobacco |
Nicotina tobaccum
|
Tomato |
Solanum lycopersicum
|
Tulsi |
Ocimum sanctum
|
Turmeric | Curcuma longa |
Watermelon | Citrullus vulgaris |
Wheat |
Triticum aestivum
|
Scientific Name of Mango
The Scientific name of Mango is Mangifera indica. Mango is a member of the Anacardiaceae family. Mangoes are known as the National Fruit of India. Among all fruits, mangoes are referred to as the “king of fruits.” Potassium, folate, fiber, and numerous vitamins, including A, C, B6, E, and K, are all readily stored in mangoes. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects are present in mangoes.
Hibiscus Scientific Name
The Scientific name of Hibiscus is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Although the plant is not closely related to actual roses and neither is it from China, the specific name rosa-sinensis literally translates to “rose of China.” A flowering plant belonging to the genus Hibiscus and the subfamily Malvoideae of the family Malvaceae is called a hibiscus.
Scientific Name of Neem
The Scientific name of neem is Azadirachta indica. Neem trees are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. The neem tree has long been utilized in traditional Indian medicine because of its well-known therapeutic qualities. Neem oil is obtained from the neem tree which is used as a fertilizer, a pesticide, and in skin treatment.
Scientific Name of Rose
The Scientific name of rose is Rose Rubiginosa. A perennial plant or vine belonging to the Rosaceae family, or Rosa genus, is the rose. The majority of the more than 100 species of roses originate from Asia. Around the world, roses are often known as symbols of love, sympathy, or grief.
Scientific Name of Tulsi
The Scientific name of tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum.In the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, where adherents perform worship using holy basil plants or leaves, tulsi is more frequently known as holy basil. The Lamiaceae family includes the scented perennial plant known as tulsi. The Indian subcontinent is its natural habitat. Tulsi is grown for its essential oil as well as for use in traditional medicine and religion. It is a popular herbal tea that is frequently used in Ayurveda.
Tomato Scientific name
The Scientific name of tomato is Solanum lycopersicum. Tomato is one of the most common vegetables in India.
Scientific Name of Banana
The Scientific name of banana is Musa sp. Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana are the scientific names for the majority of cultivated bananas.
Scientific Name of Potato
The Scientific name of potato is Solanum tuberosum. Root vegetable, potato is one of the most common vegetables which is widely consumed all over the world.
Scientific Names of Animals
Here is a list of some common scientific Names of Animals that are easily found in our surrounding environment.
Common Name | Scientific Name |
Bat | Chiroptera |
Brown Tree Snake
|
Boiga irregularis |
Gaur | Bos gaurus |
Arabian camel |
Camelus dromedarius
|
Ant | Formicidae |
Tiger Snake |
Notechis scutatus
|
Wild Ass |
Equus africanus asinus
|
African elephant | Loxodonta |
Albatross | Diomedeidae |
Alpaca | Vicugna pacos |
Asian Elephant |
Elephas maximus
|
rhinoceros |
Rhinoceros unicornis
|
Sea snake | Hydrophiinae |
Sheep | Ovis aries |
Siberian crane |
Grus leucogeranus
|
Snakehead | Channidae |
Sparrow |
Passer domesticus
|
Spider | Araneae |
Starfish | Asteroidea |
Tiger | Panthera tigris |
Chinkara | Gazella bennettii |
Cobra | Naja |
Cockroach | Blattodea |
Common Myna |
Acridotheres tristis
|
Cow | Bos taurus |
Crocodile |
Crocodylus palustris
|
Deer | Cervidae |
Dog |
Canis lupus familiaris
|
Dolphin | Cetacea |
Wolf | Canis lupus |
Zebra | Equus quagga |
Goat |
Capra aegagrus hircus
|
Bear | Ursidae |
Polar bear | Ursus maritimus |
Sun bear |
Helarctos malayanus
|
Blackbuck |
Antilope cervicapra
|
Black rat | Rattus rattus |
Buffalo | Bubalus bubalis |
Bulbul | Pycnonotidae |
Butterfly | Rhopalocera |
Cat | Felis catus |
Cheetah | Acinonyx jubatus |
Hen |
Gallus gallus domesticus
|
Hippopotamus |
Hippopotamus amphibius
|
Horse | Equus caballus |
House crow |
Corvus splendens
|
Housefly |
Musca domestica
|
House mouse | Mus musculus |
House sparrow |
Passer domesticus
|
House wall Lizard
|
Hemidactylus flaviviridis
|
Indian Cobra | Naja naja |
Eagle | Accipitridae |
Elephant | Elephantidae |
fish | Vertebrata |
Red fox | Vulpes vulpes |
Gavial or Gharial |
Gavialis gangeticus
|
Giraffe |
Giraffa camelopardalis
|
Great horned owl
|
Bubo virginianus |
Scientific Name of Dog
The Scientific name of the Dog is Canis familiarise or Canis lupus familiaris. We all are well known to dogs. Prior to the invention of agriculture, hunter-gatherers domesticated the dog as the first species, over 15,000 years ago. Dogs’ popularity with domestic people has grown significantly as a result of their long relationship with humans. Dogs are one of the most common pet animals.
Scientific Name of Frog
The Scientific name of frog is Rana tigrina. Frogs come in a huge variety and are found all over the world. The common Indian frogs are known as Rana tigrina.
Scientific Name of Tiger
The Scientific name of Tiger is Panthera tigris. One of the most well-known animals in the world is the tiger. It belongs to the Panthera genus and is the largest living cat species.
Importance of Scientific Names
Scientific names are a scientific process in which items such as plants, animals, and living organisms are called after Latin words for identification. The importance of Bionomical nomenclatutre are –
- All plants are animals are easily identified by any person from the world with a single name.
- Scientific names are widely recognized.
- All organisms and plants are completely grouped, making it easier to understand the properties of specific entities.
- Scientific names aid in understanding the similarities and differences among distinct species belonging to the same genera.
- We can form a relationship between the two plants and animals by analyzing their scientific names.
- Even if species are reassigned to another genus based on new understanding, the names are preserved.
- The names given in the bionomical nomenclature are unique to avoid confusion.