ITIS / IAPT / ICZN

ITIS / IAPT / ICZN

 International Institutions of Taxonomy and Nomenclature

The International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) and the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) are two prominent international institutions dedicated to the study and regulation of taxonomic and nomenclatural systems. They play crucial roles in ensuring the uniformity and stability of scientific names used in the fields of plant and animal taxonomy. 

Integrated Taxonomic Information System

IAPT: Founded in 1950, IAPT promotes an understanding of plant biodiversity, facilitates international communication of research, and oversees matters of uniformity and stability in plant names. It publishes the journal Taxon and the series Regnum Vegetabile, which includes the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. 

ICZN: Established in 1877, the ICZN acts as adviser and arbiter for the zoological community by generating and disseminating information on the correct use of the scientific names of animals. It is responsible for producing the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and is involved in resolving nomenclatural problems. 

These institutions are essential for maintaining the integrity and consistency of scientific names in their respective fields, contributing to the broader goal of global biodiversity conservation and research.


Integrated Taxonomic Information System

https://www.itis.gov/

The Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) is a comprehensive database that provides authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes, facilitating biodiversity research and data management.

Overview of ITIS

The Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) is a partnership of federal agencies in the United States, originally established in 1996, aimed at providing consistent and reliable taxonomic information on biological species. ITIS serves as a standardized reference for scientific names and their taxonomic hierarchy, enabling biodiversity information to be discovered, indexed, and connected across various fields of research and application. 

Integrated Taxonomic Information System

Mission and Objectives

ITIS's mission is to communicate a comprehensive taxonomy of global species, which includes:

Assembling scientific names and their taxonomic relationships.

Distributing this data openly through publicly available software.

Supporting biodiversity research and conservation efforts by providing a reliable source of taxonomic data. 

Data and Resources

ITIS contains over 839,000 scientific names, synonyms, and common names for various taxa, including terrestrial, marine, and freshwater species from all biological kingdoms (animals, plants, fungi, and microbes). The database is continually updated and reviewed to ensure high-quality, valid classifications and the inclusion of newly described species. Users can access ITIS data through various tools, including search functions, downloads, and APIs. 

Partnerships and Collaborations

ITIS collaborates with numerous specialists and organizations worldwide, including the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the Catalogue of Life (COL). These partnerships enhance the quality and breadth of taxonomic information available through ITIS, making it a vital resource for researchers and conservationists. 

Integrated Taxonomic Information System

Accessing ITIS

Users can access the ITIS database and its resources through the official website ITIS.gov, where they can search for specific taxa, download data, and utilize various tools for biodiversity research. 

Integrated Taxonomic Information System

In summary, ITIS plays a crucial role in biodiversity informatics by providing a comprehensive and reliable source of taxonomic information that supports scientific research and conservation efforts globally.


The International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) governs the naming of plants, algae, and fungi, while the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) oversees the naming of animals. Together, they ensure global consistency and stability in scientific names across biology.

🌱 International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT)

  • Founded: July 18, 1950, at the International Botanical Congress in Stockholm.
  • Headquarters: Bratislava, Slovakia.
  • Focus: Promotes taxonomy and systematics of plants, algae, and fungi.
  • Key Role: Maintains and updates the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN).
  • Publications:
    • Taxon (leading journal in plant taxonomy).
    • Regnum Vegetabile (book series on nomenclature).
  • Membership: Nearly 1,000 members worldwide, including professionals and students.
  • Current President (2023–2029): Lúcia G. Lohmann (Universidade de São Paulo).
https://www.iaptglobal.org/

🐾 International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN)

  • Founded: September 18, 1895.
  • Headquarters: National University of Singapore.
  • Focus: Ensures stability and universality in animal naming.
  • Key Role: Maintains the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN Code).
  • Membership: 26 commissioners from 20 countries.
  • Main Organ: Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature (official journal).
  • Digital Resource: ZooBank, the official registry of zoological names. 
https://www.iczn.org/

📊 Comparison Table

OrganizationDomainCode MaintainedPublicationsFounded
IAPTPlants, algae, fungiInternational Code of Nomenclature (ICN)Taxon, Regnum Vegetabile1950
ICZNAnimalsInternational Code of Zoological NomenclatureBulletin of Zoological Nomenclature1895

✅ Takeaway

  • IAPT ensures consistency in naming plants, algae, and fungi.
  • ICZN ensures stability in naming animals.
  • Both are essential for global taxonomy, preventing confusion in scientific communication and supporting biodiversity research.

Would you like me to also explain how these codes differ in practice (for example, how plant naming rules differ from animal naming rules), or focus on their role in modern biodiversity databases like ZooBank and World Flora Online?


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