Taxonomic backbones

Scientific names: Genus, Species, and Authorship

Every organism’s scientific name is built from three parts: the Genus (the broader group it belongs to), the Species (its unique identifier within that genus), and the Authorship (the abbreviated name of the person/people who first described it).

For example, Quercus robur L. tells us that Linnaeus (L.) published the first formal description of this species of oak. The genus is “Quercus”, and the specific epithet is “robur”, making the full species name “Quercus robur”.

Taxonomy diagram

What is a taxonomic backbone?

A taxonomic backbone is like a master list of all living things, organised in a clear, stepped order (species inside a genus, genera inside a family, and so on). It tells us which names are “official”, which ones are just old or synonym names, and how each plant, animal or other creature fits into the bigger picture.

Why does it matter?

  • Keeping everyone on the same page
    Different databases and apps might call the same plant by different names. A backbone makes sure that if you look up a species anywhere, you get the same result.

  • Making data work together
    Scientists often combine data from many sources—field notes, museum collections, citizen-science apps. If names don’t match, the computer gets confused and you can’t trust the results. A shared backbone avoids those mix-ups.

  • Following name changes
    Taxonomists are always discovering new species and reshuffling groups based on DNA or new evidence. The backbone tracks every change so we don’t lose track of past records.

  • Powering apps and tools
    Whether it’s a phone app (like iNaturalist), a garden database, or an invasive-species alert system, these tools need an up-to-date list of names underneath to work properly.

How is a backbone made?

  • Expert review
    Specialists read the latest research, look at original specimens, and talk through any disagreements.

  • Choosing between conflicting lists
    When two checklists disagree, curators weigh the evidence (shape differences, DNA, where the species lives) and pick the best option.

  • Releasing updates Backbones are usually published on a schedule (for example, once a year) with a clear version number. That way everyone knows exactly which set of names they’re using.

Real-life benefits

  • Better conservation
    Knowing exactly how many species and which ones exist in an area helps decide what habitats need the most protection.

  • Stronger research and models
    Ecologists and climate scientists build models of ecosystems based on which species live where and how they’re related. A solid backbone means more reliable predictions.

  • Faster invasive-species detection
    If a plant shows up outside its normal range, matching it quickly against the latest backbone helps catch invaders early.

Importance for collections and living collections

In botanic gardens, herbaria, and living collections, a robust taxonomic backbone ensures that each accession or specimen is correctly named and tracked. This accuracy is crucial for management, research, and conservation. It also helps curators interpret historical records, spot gaps in the collection, and plan new acquisitions keeping collections scientifically valuable.

Wrapping up

A taxonomic backbone might sound like a dry list of Latin names, but it’s really the foundation behind everything we do with biodiversity data. It keeps names consistent, catches changes over time, and makes sure there’s no confusion about which species is meant.

Examples of botanical backbones