Funny, I asked about two weeks ago our in house editor (every department should have one), and she explained exactly what you said. Official names and proper nouns capitalized, rest in lower case.
Kim Warren W. Aney wrote: > As I understand it, the American Ornithological Union standard is to > capitalize all common names of specific birds, e.g., Canada Goose and > Greater White-fronted Goose, but to not capitalize when talking about groups > of species, e.g., geese, quail. As far as I know, all other taxonomic > organizations do not capitalize common names unless it is a proper noun -- > so you have mule deer and Roosevelt elk. When writing for publication, I go > by thise latter rule even for birds. > > Warren Aney > Senior Wildllife Ecologist > Tigard, OR > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Scott Ruhren > Sent: Tuesday, 18 July, 2006 12:28 > To: [email protected] > Subject: capitalization rules for common names? > > > Dear List Members: > > > > I have been attempting to find a definitive answer regarding rules and > standards of capitalization for common names of biota. Except when the > common name contains a proper name (ex. Canadian, Wilson's), I follow the > no-capitalization rule. This complies with several writing style guides > often used for journals (ex. CBE, APA) and popular press science > publications. Additionally, popular press sources such as National > Geographic, NY Times, Nature Conservancy magazine etc. do NOT capitalize > common names. Finally, is it my imagination that there seems to be some > disparity between zoological (more caps.) and botanical (less caps.) > publications. Could this be an antique holdover? I have seen more > capitalization in ornithological publications for > fanciers/birders/associations. Field guides seem top overuse capitalization > for emphasis. > > > > Thank you for your input. > > > > Scott > > > > --- > > Scott Ruhren, Ph.D. > > Senior Director of Conservation > > Audubon Society of Rhode Island > > 12 Sanderson Road > > Smithfield, RI 02917-2600 > > > > 401-949-5454 > -- http://www.kimvdlinde.com
