Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
tautonym
Noun
/tɔːˈtɒn.ɪm/
Definition
A tautonym is a scientific name in which the genus and species names are identical.
Examples
- Gorilla gorilla is an example of a tautonym, as both the genus and species names are the same.
- In botanical nomenclature, the tautonym Juniperus juniperus is used for a specific type of juniper.
Meaning
Tautonyms are often used in biological classification to uniquely identify a species within a specific genus, ensuring clarity in scientific communication.
Synonyms
- Self-name
- Duplicitous name
