In biology, a homonym is a name for a
taxon that is identical in spelling to another such name, that belongs to a different
taxon. The rule in the
International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is that the first such name to be published is the senior homonym and is to be used (it is "
valid"); any others are junior homonyms and must be replaced with new names. It is, however, possible that if a senior homonym is archaic, and not in "prevailing usage," it may be declared a
nomen oblitum and rendered unavailable, while the junior homonym is preserved as a
nomen protectum.
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