Taxonomy databases
Taxonomy databases are reference works for animal names: which scientific name is currently accepted, what its synonyms are, and how a species fits into larger groups. Because classification changes as science advances, checking a taxonomy reference is the first step in getting an animal's identity right.
What taxonomy databases are good for
They help answer practical questions: Is this the accepted scientific name, or an older synonym? Which genus and family does the species belong to? Has it been split from, or lumped with, another species? FaunaHub uses references such as Animal Diversity Web (ADW), The Reptile Database, AmphibiaWeb, WoRMS — World Register of Marine Species, Catalogue of Life, GBIF — Global Biodiversity Information Facility, FishBase, Encyclopaedia Britannica for these checks, alongside editor-reviewed encyclopedias for general framing.
Names and groups change over time
Taxonomy is periodically revised. A species can be reassigned to a different genus, a well-known name can become a synonym, and a single “species” can turn out to be several. That is normal and healthy — but it means a name copied from an old page may be out of date. We treat the accepted name as the current best answer, not a permanent fact, and we note when a group is broad or under revision.
Group pages vs species pages
Some FaunaHub pages describe a whole group (for example, “snake” or “tree frog”), while others describe a single species. A group page gives an overview of many related animals; a species page focuses on one. Keeping the two distinct avoids implying that a broad group is a single species, and it keeps the scientific scope honest.
Why we avoid duplicate same-species pages
When a common name and a “more specific” name actually refer to the same animal, publishing both would create two competing pages for one species. Checking the scientific name in a taxonomy reference prevents that. A few real examples from FaunaHub:
- viper already centres on the gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica), so a separate “gaboon viper” page would duplicate it.
- mamba is the black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), so a separate “black mamba” page is unnecessary.
- boa is the boa constrictor (Boa constrictor), so “boa constrictor” would be the same species.
- anaconda represents the anaconda (the green anaconda is the default), so a separate “green anaconda” page is avoided.
In each case we integrate the existing page instead of creating a near-duplicate — a decision driven by the scientific name, not the common name.
Frequently asked questions
- Why do animal scientific names change?
- Classification is a living science. As researchers study anatomy, genetics, and geography, species are sometimes split, merged, or moved between genera, and older names become synonyms. A good taxonomy database records these changes and the currently accepted name, which is why we check one rather than assume a name is final.
- What is the difference between a common name and a scientific name?
- A common name (like "boa") is an everyday term that can refer to different animals in different places, while a scientific name (like Boa constrictor) follows international rules and aims to identify one species unambiguously. Common names are friendlier; scientific names are more precise.
- Is one taxonomy database the final word?
- No. Different databases can reflect different, equally reasonable classifications, and all are revised over time. We use them as references for accepted names and synonyms, not as a permanent authority, and we word taxonomy cautiously.
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