Nomen nudum
- Pronunciation
- /NOH-men NOO-dum/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- nomen nudum
- Plural
- nomina nuda
Definition
In biological , a published that lacks an accompanying description or definition adequate to meet the requirements of the governing code (e.g., ICZN Articles 12 and 13 for animals, or equivalent provisions in the ICN for plants). Such a name is 'naked' or 'bare'—it exists in print but carries no diagnostic information that would allow identification of the . A nomen nudum is unavailable for use and cannot be validated by subsequent description; it must be formally published anew with proper documentation to become available. Contrast with (a name of uncertain application despite adequate original description) and (a long-unused senior synonym suppressed for priority).
Etymology
Latin: 'naked name' (nomen 'name' + nudum 'naked, bare')
Example
A 1925 note mentioning 'Gryllus deserticola, new ' with only the collection locality but no morphological description would constitute a nomen nudum; the name remains unavailable until someone publishes it with diagnostic characters, designation, and comparative remarks.
Synonyms
- nomen tantum
Related Terms
- Nomen dubium
- Nomen oblitum
- nomen subnudum
- available name
- unavailable name
- valid name
- sensu stricto
- sensu lato
Usage Notes
A nomen nudum is specifically a published name lacking description, not merely an invalid name. Do not confuse with manuscript names or nomina nuda in the vernacular sense of 'working names.' The plural nomina nuda is frequently misspelled or misapplied to any problematic name; use precisely. Under ICZN, names published before 1931 without description may sometimes be saved by reference to a previously published illustration (Art. 12.2.7), but this does not retroactively remove their nomen nudum status at time of original publication.