Synonym

From Palaeos

In taxonomy, the term synonyms is used to refer to two or more names referring to the same taxonomic entity. It is a general principle of taxonomy that any taxon can have only one valid name - usually, this is the oldest name available (the senior synonym, as opposed to a junior synonym) if there is more than one (but see Nomen oblitum for one example of where this rule may be suspended). A list of names used to refer to a taxonomic entity is referred to as a synonymy.

Synonyms may be either objective or subjective. Objective synonyms have the same type as each other, and as such will always refer to the same taxon. Subjective synonyms have different types, and authors may differ as to whether they represent the same taxon or not. In synonymies presented on Palaeos.org, we have generally distinguished between the two classes by using "=" for objective synonyms and "incl." for subjective synonyms.

Credits

CKT070221