PhyloCode

The International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature, known as the PhyloCode for short, is a formal set of rules governing phylogenetic nomenclature. Its current version is specifically designed to regulate the naming of clades, leaving the governance of species names up to the rank-based nomenclature codes (ICN, ICNCP, ICNP, ICZN, ICVCN).

The PhyloCode is associated with the International Society for Phylogenetic Nomenclature (ISPN).^[1] The companion volume, Phylonyms, establishes 300 taxon names under PhyloCode, serving as examples for those unfamiliar with the code.^[2] RegNum is an associated online database for registered clade names.^[3]

The PhyloCode regulates phylogenetic nomenclature by providing rules for deciding which associations of names and definitions are considered established,^[4] which of those will be considered homonyms^[5] or synonyms,^[6] and which one of a set of synonyms or homonyms will be considered accepted (generally the one registered first; see below). The PhyloCode only governs the naming of clades,^[7] not of paraphyletic or polyphyletic groups, and only allows the use of specimens, species, and apomorphies as specifiers (anchors).^[8]