Abstract
The common name designated to a species is important because it connects specialists with non–experts. The matter of the correct common name is relevant to the conservation and management of conspicuous or flag species. The English name ‘Spanish ibex’ to designate Capra pyrenaica is extensive in the scientific literature, and some have defended its appropriateness. However, in our opinion, it is not the best term to designate this species. We propose that ‘Iberian wild goat’ should be used. Herein, we review the etymology, history, taxonomy and public use of the names used to designate goats (domestic and wild) in southwestern Europe during the last two millennia. Used first by Pliny the Elder, the name ‘ibex’ has been applied most often for the Alpine wild goat (C. ibex), and few authors applied this name to C. pyrenaica until the 20th century when some influential works extended its use in the scientific literature. Adult males of C. pyrenaica have lyre–shaped, and typically smooth horns that do not match the ibex morphotype, which has scimitar–shaped knotted horns. Although C. pyrenaica and C. ibex are probably phylogenetically close, their common names do not necessarily have to match. The rules of common names differ from those of scientific names. Cabra montés or cabra brava (wild goat) is the common name used by most authors in the Iberian peninsula. This name is deeply entrenched in the Iberian languages and has been used since the earliest references to the species in mediaeval times. We propose the adoption of ‘Iberian wild goat’ for legal and scientific communication and when interacting with the media.
Highlights
As elements of animal production, hunting and mythology objects, goats (Capra genus) have attracted much attention throughout human history
We provide arguments to demonstrate that 'Iberian wild goat' is a more suitable common name than Iberian ibex for C. pyrenaica, and given the importance of common names for conservation and management, we suggest that the first term be adopted or used preferably over the second
Among post–Linnaean documents, we reviewed the history of the taxonomy of Capra ibex and C. pyrenaica based on original scientific descriptions
Summary
As elements of animal production, hunting and mythology objects, goats (Capra genus) have attracted much attention throughout human history. The nomenclature and scientific classification of goats has been varied and controversial over the past two millennia (Ellerman and Morrison–Scott, 1951; appendix 1). The common name associated with a given taxon is important from scientific, conservation, and legislative perspectives. Common names have biological and practical importance given that they allow everyone from researchers to scientific popularisers and the general public to understand which species others are referring to. These names are recognizable, easy to pronounce and stable over time. Scientific names follow binomial nomenclature and are based on phylogenetic relationships, but they are written in Latin and are difficult to remember
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