Binomial nomenclature is a formal biological system for naming species, the lowest taxonomic rank or relative position in the scientific classification hierarchy of taxonomy. Binomial names are also known as binomens, scientific names or Latin names, because each species name has two parts and is commonly in Latin. Scientists, such as physiologists and biologists prefer the term scientific name.
Basic Guidelines[]
Binomial names are always italicized. They are always abbreviated as either T. rex or Tr. rex, with the latter being much more infrequent, and only used when it is necessary to distinguish two abbreviated genus names. The generic epithet, e.g. Tyrannosaurus, is always capitalized. The specific epithet, e.g. rex, is always lowercase. When a genus is represented by several species, it may be written down as T. sp.; the 'sp.' must always be lowercase and un-italicized, as it is not part of the actual binomial name.