Question

Which among the following is correct way of writing a scientific name?

• A. Panthera tigris
• B. Panthera tigris
• C. Panthera tigris
• D. Panthera Tigris

Answer 1

The correct option is (D):

Explanation of the correct option:​

1. Binomial nomenclature is a scientific system of naming an organism.
   
2. This was developed by Carolus Linnaeus and he is known as the 'Father of Modern Taxonomy.'
3. In a scientific name, the first word represents the genus and the second word represents the species.
   
4. For example, the scientific name of Tiger is Panthera tigris, where Panthera denotes the genus and tigris denotes the species.
5. And first letter of genus is written in capital letter whereas the first letter of species is written in small letter.
6. In order to show their Latin origin, it is written in italics and if handwritten, genus and species are underlined separately.

Explanation of the incorrect answers:

Option (A):

1. In the name ​Panthera tigris, although the genus and specific epithet are have been written separately and the first letter for genus is capital while that is specific epithet is small.
2. But, it is not in italic fonts.
3. Italic fonts are required to show its Latin origin.

Option (B):

1. ​In the name ​Panthera Tigris, the genus and specific epithet are have been written separately and in italicised way.
2. But, the the first letter of the specific epithet should be small.

Option (C):

1. ​In the name, Panthera tigris, the genus and specific epithet are have been written separately and in italicised way, with first letter of genus name capital and first letter of specific epithet small.
2. But, they have been underlined separately.
3. The genus and specific epithet are underlined only when handwritten.
4. In case of printed writings they are only italicised.

Final Answer: The correct way of writing the scientific name is Panthera tigris.