Scientific names (Latin) pronunciations

[mary walters]

Apparently, we from the black country speak Chaucers English, see

[James Box]

i like Schwarzenoodle's English. i mean C'MAAAAHHHN, it's fantastic over here, let me tell you!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Colin D Wilson]

However, scientific names, why do they have that term when many are not scientific at all? !!!!

Originally the scientific name described the appearence or behaviour of the animal (using Latin or Greek or Native European) Hence the phrase to "describe a new species" But now the scientific names are including location, peoples names and even comical attributes.

I'll use a genus (not spider) that will make a good example

Poison tree frogs genus is Dendrobates, from the Greek meaning *one that walks in trees*,
A species is called azureus, from the native French meaning *blue*
so what we have there is a scientific name that means "blue tree walker" an apt name for a blue tree frog
Now if this particular species was found only in Madagascar it would be called Dendrobates azureus madgascariensis.
Another different example would be the King Snake Lampropeltis
Lampros = Greek for shiney
Pelta = Greek for shield
Both refering to the smooth shiney dorsal scales particular to this genus.

The same is apparent in the whole animal world, although some of the later descriptions and name changes are becoming a little less consistent and refer to the discoverers name making it a little simpler, sedate and less adventurous if you ask me