Restoring indigenous names in taxonomy

Some pillars of scientific practice appear immutable. We propose that one of these needs more thorough consideration and modification: this being the longstanding emphasis in nomenclature for first published names over pre-existing indigenous names, in accepting species epithets. We suggest that biologists reevaluate this practice, in the context of a current more general re-evaluation of indigenous knowledge. We propose that it is now time to critically examine taxonomic protocols in favour of both assigning and  reinstating indigenous names whenever possible.

A response to the article see: Palma & Heath (2021), Science versus vernacular: should some taxa of animals and plants be renamed according to ‘indigenous’ practices?, Bionomina 22, 1-7. https://www.mapress.com/bn/article/view/bionomina.22.1.1 or https://phthiraptera.myspecies.info/node/95431