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. 2020 Oct 23;3(1):609.
doi: 10.1038/s42003-020-01344-y.

Restoring indigenous names in taxonomy

Len Norman Gillman  1 , Shane Donald Wright  2
Affiliations

Restoring indigenous names in taxonomy

Len Norman Gillman et al. Commun Biol. .

Abstract

Some pillars of scientific practice appear immutable. We propose that one of these needs more thorough consideration and modification: this being the long-standing emphasis in nomenclature for first published names over pre-existing indigenous names, in accepting species epithets. We suggest that biologists re-evaluate this practice, in the context of a current more general re-evaluation of indigenous knowledge. We propose that it is now time to critically examine taxonomic protocols in favour of both assigning and reinstating indigenous names whenever possible.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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