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200 years of naming dinosaurs: scientists call for overhaul of antiquated system

Some palaeontologists want more rigorous guidelines for naming species, along with action to address problematic historical practices.
  1. Katharine Sanderson

    1. Katharine Sanderson is a reporter for Nature in London.

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It’s been 200 years since scientists named the first dinosaur: Megalosaurus. In the centuries since, hundreds of other dinosaur species have been discovered and catalogued — their names inspired by everything from their physical characteristics to the scientists who first described them. Now, some researchers are calling for the introduction of a more robust system, which they say would ensure species names are more inclusive and representative of where and how fossils are discovered.

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Nature 626, 936-937 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00388-y

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 21 February 2024: A previous version of this article included preliminary figures from the study that have since been revised.

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