* Colorful, romantic, fanciful, metaphorical, and otherwise distinctive and
original names are especially appropriate. (madtom, pumpkinseed, hogchoker,
Dolly Varden, etc.)
* American Indian or any other native names are welcome. (muskellunge,
mummichog, menhaden, etc.)
* Truly vernacular names that are widespread and in common use by the public are
to be retained whenever possible.
* Commonly employed names adopted from traditional English usage (e.g., cod,
pike, bass, perch, chub, minnow) are given considerable latitude in taxonomic
placement, especially with widely known species (e.g., white perch, striped
bass, mudminnow).
* Structural attributes, color, and color pattern are desirable sources of names
(salfin, giant, mottled, etc)
* Ecological characteristics are useful in making good names (reef, coral, lake,
riffle, mountain, etc.)
* Geographic distribution provides suitable adjectical modifiers (e..g, Coosa
darter, Roanoke hog sucker)
* Generic names may be employed as common names outright (e.g., gambusia,
tilapia) or in modified form (e.g., molly from Mollienesia). Such names should
be maintained even if the generic name is changed.
* No two species shall have the same approved name.
* Names shall not violate the tenets of good taste (hence, squawfish being
changed to pikeminnow).
There were other technical criteria, but these are the most important.
Christopher Scharpf
Baltimore
"The secret of life is to have a task....And the most important thing is -- it
must be something you cannot possibly do!"
Henry Moore, sculptor
/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org