International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature

Welcome to the ICZN

BZN80

The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) acts as adviser and arbiter for the zoological community by generating and disseminating information on the correct use of the scientific names of animals. The ICZN is responsible for producing the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature - a set of rules for the naming of animals and the resolution of nomenclatural problems.

 

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News & Updates

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Call for nominations

Fri, 2023-12-29 15:00 -- The ICZN will soon have eight vacancies, and nominations for new Commissioners to be elected at the end of 2024 should be sent before 31 October 2024 to the ICZN Secretary (iczn@nus.edu.sg). The announcement published in BZN80 is available from BioOne and Biotaxa.

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New ICZN Executive Secretary

Fri, 2023-09-29 -- Dr Alex Figueroa has has taken over the position of the Executive Secretary of the Commission. The outgoing Secretary is Mr Dominic Ng, whose appointment began in January 2022 and ended November 2023.

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Declaration 46 passed

Declaration 46, the proposed Amendment to Article 8 (reaffirming the ineffectiveness of subsequent disclaimers, and retractions with respect to published works, available names and nomenclatural acts in zoological nomenclature) of the Code, has been passed. In March 2023 during the General Assembly in Tokyo, the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) Executive Committee ratified Declaration 46.

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Ratification of Amendments to the Constitution

Tue, 2022-06-14 17:30 -- The proposed Amendments to the Constitution have been ratified by the International Union for Biological Sciences (IUBS).

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Term begins for newly elected Commissioners

Fri, 2022-01-01 00:48 -- The International Commission on Zoological Commission welcomes its newest cohort of Commissioners. The Commission now comprises 27 members from 20 countries, as listed here.

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Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature completely open-access on Biotaxa

Sat, 2022-01-01 22:38 -- As of 2022, the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature is now open-access on Biotaxa.

 

Why are names important?

Case studies... more>>

Scientific names: reasons and best practices... more>>

 

Donate

ICZN activities depend to a crucial extent on donations from individuals, institutions, learned societies and grant-giving bodies.

Speak to us about how you can be a part of this important work (iczn@nus.edu.sg / +65 6516 8364)