Vernacularizing scientific names

[Chris J. Durden]

*Harkenclenus* was named for Harry Kendon Clench. You can blame C. F. dos 
Passos for coining this name in 1970 as a replacement name for the much 
misused but "correct" name *Chrysophanus* which was suppressed by the ICZN 
in 1959. I think we all, even Harry, winced when this name appeared. We do 
not need to anglicize this name as there is a deeply entrenched common name 
available. Watson's Coral Hairstreak should be easy to interpret even to 
the subspecies - all that is required is a copy of Klots' Field Guide for 
orientation.
..................Chris Durden

At 08:59 AM 5/9/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>I agree with Chris that where there are no English american names, that
>anglicizing the scientific name might be desirable.
>I have advocated this for Neotropical birds.  Why is Collared Micrastur 
>(used in
>several books) less desirable than Collared Forest-falcon?
>Chris mentioned all the plants whose horticultural names are actually the 
>genus
>name.  In birds we have Trogons (for Trogon spp).
>Some generic names lend themselves to this, others don't.  Eagle flows of the
>tongue better than Haliaeetus  (yes there really is a double  'e').
>I have always thought that leps names were more awkward then bird names----not
>sure if that is a function of my age or not.
>
>I can't imagine calling something a Harkenclinus, but a group called the
>Satyrium's wouldn't be bad.
>
>Erynnis, for example, would be just as easy as Duskywing.
>
>Mike Gochfeld



 
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