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Welcome to the Mammal Etymology Dictionary!
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Here you will find a constantly growing and evolving repository for the meanings behind the scientific names of mammals.
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What does this cover:

Crown-group Mammalia (excluding certain groups sometimes placed in this group, e.g. docodonts), both living and extinct.

Species names
Subspecies names
Genus names
Subgenus names

All validly published names are covered,
Nomina dubia (taxa described from fragmentary or otherwise suboptimal material, but otherwise valid)
Nomina oblita (obsolete or forgotten names)
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What doesn't this cover:

Names above genus rank (e.g. families)
Names below subspecies rank (e.g. varieties)

Vernacular/common names (other than those that are also found in scientific names)

Nomina nuda (names without adequate description)
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Gaps:

Despite there being many, many names already listed here, there are gaps. It is both time-consuming and difficult to find comprehensive lists of taxa, or to compile them from the literature, for such a broad group. This is an ongoing process, and the dictionary is not currently complete. New names are added when time allows.
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Colour coding explained:

A name in red indicates there is an extant (or recently extinct) taxon with that name. A blue name indicates it is known for an extinct (pre-Holocene) taxon only.
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If you spot an error or have a suggestion or comment, either leave a comment here or get in touch: mo_illustrator AT hotmail dot co dot uk
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