Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: India harbors a total of 1,047 reptile taxa (178 genera, 839 species and 30 subspecies), including three crocodiles, 35 turtles, 370 snakes, and 431 lizard species described until the end of 2025. Here we present the first comprehensive analysis of the etymologies of their names. Most (121) genera are named after Greek stems while only 37 are derived from Latin. By contrast, most species epithets (304) are derived from Latin, but only 85 from Greek. 226 species names are eponyms (named after people) and a similar number (215) are toponyms, named after places. We also found 19 genera and 34 species named after local names, as well as a few with mythological allusions or other origins. Finally, we identify the top-11 taxonomists who had at least three Indian species named after them. This paper will educate all Indian and other herpetologists about the meaning and origin of scientific reptile names and thus encourage the creation of meaningful and well-constructed names in the future.
Source: Zootaxa
Authors: PETER H. UETZ, DIKANSH S. PARMAR
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7204052934