common names

[Stanley A. Gorodenski]

The name Danaus will always be Danaus and plexippus will always be
plexippus. There is no instability here.  It is how they are put
together that causes instability.  So, when someone criticizes
'scientific' names for being unstable, they are confusing it with the
Linnaean system.  In fact, this instability is one criticism of the
Linnaean system and why some are pushing for the PhyloCode system to
replace it.  Because the naming system does not depend on a 'type'
specimen, which under the linnaean system causes instability when it is
moved from one taxon to another by a systematist or taxonomist, it is
more stable.  Under PhyloCode, 'scientific' names will still be used,
but will be put together under different rules.  It will be more stable
than the current system of scientific names and more stable than common
names.  Five different common names for Danaus plexippus, and one
butterfly called a Monarch that is in a different family?

Stan

Kenelm Philip wrote:
> 
> > I remember reading somewhere that our dear old Monarch - Danaus plexippus
> > ...has had about 5 different scientific names but only one common name.
> 
> Would that matters were as straightforward as that! According to Jackie
> Miller's 'The Common Names of North American Butterflies', the Monarch
> has been called by the following common names:
> 
> Monarch
> Milkweed Butterfly
> Storm Fritillary
> Wanderer
> Archippus
> 
> Then, to make matters more amusing, I have to add the odd fact that in
> Alaska and the Yukon, most non-lepidopterists call the Canadian Tiger
> Swallowtail the Monarch. There's even a 'Monarch Road' in Fairbanks,
> named after all the swallowtails seen at damp earth on the road.
> 
>                                                         Ken Philip
> fnkwp at uaf.edu
> 
> 
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