Roger, only up to 3 parted names can be expressed in dwc with individual terms. But of course you can put the entire name string into the scientificName. This is one reason why we have decided to strongly promote the use of scientificName as the main name string and not the atomised parts. Also hybrid formulas, virus names, informal additions like cf and all the other awkward name bits cant be expressed properly as individual terms.

Markus

On Apr 1, 2010, at 11:55, Roger Hyam wrote:

Hi All,

Is there a standard way of including 4 word names in DwC for the sub sub ranks such as subvarieties and subformas.

I don't condone the use of these ranks but if we have to express them what do people normally do?

Have I missed something in the docs?

Many thanks,

Roger

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BOTANY answer:

As far as I know, according to the botanical code, any infraspecific taxon, regardless of rank, is immediately in the species. That is, you can say that you have_

Genus species var. a subvar. x,

but this is equivalent to an expression of hierarchical opinion like:

Genus section X species

and does not become part of the name. The code forbids to have:

Genus species subsp. a var. x Author1 and Genus species subsp. b var. x Author2

because the canonical name would be a homonym:

Genus species var. x Author1 Genus species var. x Author2

Not sure that answers your question. It depends whether you want to express names or opinions of hierarchy.

Not sure about zoology either.

Gregor