Glossary N
Name-bearing type
The type genus, type species, holotype, lectotype, series of syntypes (which, together, form the name-bearing type), neotype, type slide, or hapantotype, that provides the objective standard of reference whereby the application of the name of a taxon can be determined.
Nares [singular] Naris / Narial
The openings of the nasal cavity; the nostrils. Thus, narial
Nasal bone
Skull bone
Natural selection
The process in evolution identified by Charles Darwin, according to which the following, life processes continue to take place over the expanse of time; [1] organisms within a species vary; [2] Some of these variations are inherited by offspring; [3] More offspring are produced than can possibly survive for the full lifespan of the species, given competition for limited resources. [4] Usually offspring with variations favored by the environment will survive; [5] Surviving offspring will in turn usually leave more offspring with variations favored by the environment; and [6] Over time, these variations favored by the environment will tend to accumulate in subsequent generations.
Neo-
A prefix meaning \\\"new\\\" or \\\"newer\\\"
Neonate
A newly born organism
Neoteny
1. The fact of retaining some juvenile characteristics after reaching sexual maturity.
2. An evolutionary change in which the descendant species has a slower growth rate than the ancestral species.
Neotype
The single specimen designated as the name-bearing type of a nominal species or subspecies for which no holotype, or lectotype, or syntype(s), or prior neotype, is believed to exist.
Nesting behavior
The activity of forming a receptacle or shelter to hold and hatch eggs and to rear newborn offspring; found in modern birds and reptiles and also described in dinosaurs.
Neural arch
The opening in a vertebra through which the spinal cord passes
Neural canal
The hole through which the spinal cord passes
Neural spine
The large \\\"spike\\\" of bone that rises above the top of a vertebra to which the muscles and tendons for raising the neck attach
Niche
The unique position or status occupied by a particular species within a larger ecological community, characterized by the physical area it inhabits and by its role whitin the community.
Nocturnal
Of an organism, primarily or exclusively active at night.
Node-based / Node-defined
Describing a taxonomic group that is defined as the descendants of the most recent common ancestor of two other groups; e.g. Dinosauria has been defined as all the descendants of the common ancestor of Triceratops and birds. Also, Node-defined. Compare stem-based.
Nomen ambiguum
A name which has been used so long by different authors in different senses that it has become a persistent cause of error and confusion (\\\"ambiguous name\\\")
Nomen conservandum
Pl. Nomina conservata (\\\"conserved names\\\") names classed as available and valid by action of the ICZN exercising its Plenary Powers. Includes rulings to conserve junior synonyms in place of rejected forgotten names (nomen oblitum). Such names are entered on the Official Lists
Nomen correctum
Pl. nomina correcta (\\\"corrected names\\\" or \\\"improved names\\\") available names which are mandatory and allowable emendations of imperfect names or of taxonomic names higher than family (which are not subject to name form and ending regulations). Do not depend on transfer in taxon rank or assignment. (= an emended name)
Nomen dubium / ND
Latin for \\\"dubious name\\\" a name originally or historically proposed for a given organism or group, but subsequently considered inaccurate or inadequate for any of various reasons; e.g., a poor or incomplete specimen.
Nomen imperfectum
Pl. nomina imperfecta (\\\"imperfect names\\\") available names which when originally published met all mandatory requirements of the Code (i.e. met all criteria of availability - Articles 10-20) but which contained some defect needing correction, such as names incorporating hyphens, diacritical marks or apostrophes, and higher taxon names using an incorrectly formed stem
Nomen oblitum
According to the Code, a descriptive term meaning forgotten name; not used in this edition of the code, but formerly used in Article 23b in force between 6 November 1961 and 1 January 1973; nomina oblita (pl.).
Nomen novum / NV
Latin for \\\"new name\\\" a name proposed as the replacement for an existing name.
Nomen nudem / NN
Latin for \\\"naked name\\\" a name that is not regarded as valid because of inadequate or lost specimens on which the description is based.
Nomenclature
A name, or a system of naming. See also Binomial nomenclature
Nonavian
1. Not applying to or found in birds.
2. Applying to the Dinosauria other than birds.
Nuchal ligaments
Neck ligaments (from ligamenthum nuchae)
The type genus, type species, holotype, lectotype, series of syntypes (which, together, form the name-bearing type), neotype, type slide, or hapantotype, that provides the objective standard of reference whereby the application of the name of a taxon can be determined.
Nares [singular] Naris / Narial
The openings of the nasal cavity; the nostrils. Thus, narial
Nasal bone
Skull bone
Natural selection
The process in evolution identified by Charles Darwin, according to which the following, life processes continue to take place over the expanse of time; [1] organisms within a species vary; [2] Some of these variations are inherited by offspring; [3] More offspring are produced than can possibly survive for the full lifespan of the species, given competition for limited resources. [4] Usually offspring with variations favored by the environment will survive; [5] Surviving offspring will in turn usually leave more offspring with variations favored by the environment; and [6] Over time, these variations favored by the environment will tend to accumulate in subsequent generations.
Neo-
A prefix meaning \\\"new\\\" or \\\"newer\\\"
Neonate
A newly born organism
Neoteny
1. The fact of retaining some juvenile characteristics after reaching sexual maturity.
2. An evolutionary change in which the descendant species has a slower growth rate than the ancestral species.
Neotype
The single specimen designated as the name-bearing type of a nominal species or subspecies for which no holotype, or lectotype, or syntype(s), or prior neotype, is believed to exist.
Nesting behavior
The activity of forming a receptacle or shelter to hold and hatch eggs and to rear newborn offspring; found in modern birds and reptiles and also described in dinosaurs.
Neural arch
The opening in a vertebra through which the spinal cord passes
Neural canal
The hole through which the spinal cord passes
Neural spine
The large \\\"spike\\\" of bone that rises above the top of a vertebra to which the muscles and tendons for raising the neck attach
Niche
The unique position or status occupied by a particular species within a larger ecological community, characterized by the physical area it inhabits and by its role whitin the community.
Nocturnal
Of an organism, primarily or exclusively active at night.
Node-based / Node-defined
Describing a taxonomic group that is defined as the descendants of the most recent common ancestor of two other groups; e.g. Dinosauria has been defined as all the descendants of the common ancestor of Triceratops and birds. Also, Node-defined. Compare stem-based.
Nomen ambiguum
A name which has been used so long by different authors in different senses that it has become a persistent cause of error and confusion (\\\"ambiguous name\\\")
Nomen conservandum
Pl. Nomina conservata (\\\"conserved names\\\") names classed as available and valid by action of the ICZN exercising its Plenary Powers. Includes rulings to conserve junior synonyms in place of rejected forgotten names (nomen oblitum). Such names are entered on the Official Lists
Nomen correctum
Pl. nomina correcta (\\\"corrected names\\\" or \\\"improved names\\\") available names which are mandatory and allowable emendations of imperfect names or of taxonomic names higher than family (which are not subject to name form and ending regulations). Do not depend on transfer in taxon rank or assignment. (= an emended name)
Nomen dubium / ND
Latin for \\\"dubious name\\\" a name originally or historically proposed for a given organism or group, but subsequently considered inaccurate or inadequate for any of various reasons; e.g., a poor or incomplete specimen.
Nomen imperfectum
Pl. nomina imperfecta (\\\"imperfect names\\\") available names which when originally published met all mandatory requirements of the Code (i.e. met all criteria of availability - Articles 10-20) but which contained some defect needing correction, such as names incorporating hyphens, diacritical marks or apostrophes, and higher taxon names using an incorrectly formed stem
Nomen oblitum
According to the Code, a descriptive term meaning forgotten name; not used in this edition of the code, but formerly used in Article 23b in force between 6 November 1961 and 1 January 1973; nomina oblita (pl.).
Nomen novum / NV
Latin for \\\"new name\\\" a name proposed as the replacement for an existing name.
Nomen nudem / NN
Latin for \\\"naked name\\\" a name that is not regarded as valid because of inadequate or lost specimens on which the description is based.
Nomenclature
A name, or a system of naming. See also Binomial nomenclature
Nonavian
1. Not applying to or found in birds.
2. Applying to the Dinosauria other than birds.
Nuchal ligaments
Neck ligaments (from ligamenthum nuchae)