Table 1.
Relational terms in NCBI Taxonomy
| Name category | Description | Number per TaxNode/TaxId |
|---|---|---|
| Primary name | This is the designated label for the TaxNode and its TaxId. | One per TaxNode. |
| Formal relational terms for secondary names | ||
| Current name | The currently accepted name chosen out of all synonyms for the TaxNode. Will often overlap with primary name (except in a few cases). | Up to one per TaxNode (where indicated). |
| Basionym | The originally described name, attached to the type material and species description. | Up to one per name (where indicated), one to more per TaxNode. |
| Homotypic synonym | Names generated after the basionym (e.g. by moving it to a different genus), but sharing the same type. | None to several per TaxNode. |
| Heterotypic synonym | Names with a different basionym and type from those mentioned above. | None to several per TaxNode. |
| Informal relational terms for secondary names | ||
| Acronym | Mainly used for viruses. | None to several per TaxNode. |
| Equivalent | Used for informal names which are related but not synonyms. | None to several per TaxNode. |
| Includes | Used for informal names which forms a subset of a name. | None to several per TaxNode. |
| In-part | Used for formal names which forms a subset of a name. | None to several per TaxNode—can be duplicate across TaxNodes. |
| Blast name | Informal name for groups of organisms. | Up to one per TaxNode (where indicated). |
| Common name | Informal names in common usage—these are not comprehensively added. | None to several per TaxNode. |
| Genbank acronym | Ensures an acronym name type is displayed prominently in flat files. | Up to one per TaxNode but excluding other genbank name types (where indicated). |
| Genbank synonym | Ensures a second synonym is displayed prominently in flat files. | Up to one per TaxNode but excluding other genbank name types (where indicated). |
| Genbank common name | Ensures a vernacular name is displayed prominently in flat files. | Up to one per TaxNode but excluding other genbank name types (where indicated). |
| Nonpublic terms for secondary names | ||
| Misspelling | Used for searches only. | None to several per TaxNode. |
| Unpublished name | Used for searches only. | None to several per TaxNode. |