Nomen Conservandum

Pronunciation
/no-men kon-ser-va-n-doom/
Category
Nomenclature
Singular
Nomen Conservandum
Plural
Nomina Conservanda

Definition

A scientific name that is technically unacceptable according to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, but which has been preserved by this group.

Etymology

Latin 'nomen' meaning 'name', and 'conservandum', meaning 'to be conserved'.

Example

The name *Homo erectus* is a nomen conservandum, even though it violates modern classification rules.

Related Terms

  • Nomenclatural Rules
  • Zoological Nomenclature