The systematic description of species by means of two names, both in Latin. The first name, with an initial capital letter, is that of the genus into which the species is placed, the second that of the species itself (e.g. the name Homo sapiens (human being) comprises the species sapiens within the genus Homo). This method of classification was introduced by Carolus Linnaeus. The precise procedures and rules for naming newly discovered animals are laid down in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.
Subjects: Plant Sciences and Forestry — Zoology and Animal Sciences.