Scientists Call For Overhaul, Want To Rename Dinosaurs

It's been two centuries since the first dinosaur was named, and in that time, hundreds of other species have been discovered and given names. These names are often inspired by the physical characteristics of the dinosaur or the scientist who discovered it. However, as the field of paleontology has evolved, so too have concerns about the inclusivity of dinosaur names.

Megalosaurus, the first dinosaur to be named, was discovered in 1824 by geologist and minister William Buckland. Its name, meaning "big lizard," was chosen to reflect the immense size of the bones that had been unearthed. Later, in 1841, the term "dinosaur" was coined to describe these ancient reptiles.

Unlike in other scientific disciplines where strict rules govern the naming of species, zoologists have relatively free rein over the names they choose for new species. While there are guidelines in place, they are open to interpretation. The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) oversees these guidelines, which require names to be unique, announced in a publication, and linked to a specimen.

However, a recent study by palaeobiologist Emma Dunne and her colleagues has shed light on potential issues with the current naming system. After analyzing the names of all known dinosaur species from the Mesozoic Era, they found several names that could be considered problematic. These names, which they define as "emanating racism, sexism, named under (neo)colonial contexts, or after controversial figures," account for less than 3% of all dinosaur names.

Some names identified by the team stem from colonial names for lands where fossils were found, overlooking indigenous language names of places or researchers. This is exemplified by the many species discovered in Tendaguru, Tanzania, by German explorers between 1908 and 1920. These species were often named after German individuals, and the samples remain in Germany.

While these names make up a small percentage of the total, they are significant in their impact. According to Evangelos Vlachos, a paleontologist involved in the study, these names are "insignificant in terms of numbers but significant in terms of importance." He advocates for a critical revision of past naming practices to correct any issues.

The use of eponyms, naming a species after a person or people, is also a concern. The study found that over half of all eponyms were given within the past 20 years, and the majority were masculine names. To avoid perpetuating stereotypes, the researchers suggest using names that describe physical characteristics, such as Stegosaurus ("roof lizard") or Triceratops ("three-horned-face"). This also helps with communication and avoids language barriers.

Currently, the ICZN is against changing the names of already-named species unless there is a formal nomenclatural reason. President Thomas Pape explains that the organization aims to preserve the stability of names, and retrospective changes could threaten that stability. However, they are open to discussing potential changes, such as implementing a peer-review system for new names or limiting official names to certain journals.

Despite the ICZN's stance, some paleontologists are pushing for change within the community. Paul Barrett, a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum in London, notes a "marked change in the desire to credit formerly overlooked figures when naming new dinosaurs and to ensure that issues of patrimony are faced and accounted for." This includes recognizing Indigenous collaborators and colleagues and using names derived from the language and culture of the country where fossils were discovered.

Dunne acknowledges the need for change but also recognizes the burdens facing academics. She urges the ICZN to be more representative of the paleontological community and hopes for a more robust system in the future. As paleontology continues to evolve, it is essential to address and correct any issues with the naming system, ensuring that dinosaur names are inclusive and reflective of the historical context of the fossils.