Which naturalist is honored by the specific epithet lesueurii in the Australian Water Dragon's name?
Answer
Charles Alexandre Lesueur
The specific epithet *lesueurii*, found in the scientific name *Intellagama lesueurii*, serves to honor Charles Alexandre Lesueur. Lesueur was an early French naturalist whose contributions to the field were recognized through this dedication. Naming conventions in taxonomy often pay tribute to historical figures who contributed to the understanding or discovery of a species. This contrasts with the species epithet for the Asian dragon, *cocincinus*, which refers to a location (Cochinchina), providing a dual system within the Linnaean nomenclature where specific names can honor either people or places relevant to the organism's history or origin.
Related Questions
Which genus classifies the Asian Water Dragon, Physignathus cocincinus?What is the scientific designation for the Gippsland Water Dragon subspecies?To which taxonomic order do both Australian and Asian Water Dragons belong?What geographical region does the specific epithet cocincinus reference?What is the current genus classification for the native Australian Water Dragon?Before being moved to Intellagama, what genus housed the Australian Water Dragon?Which naturalist is honored by the specific epithet lesueurii in the Australian Water Dragon's name?What is the precise classification for the Eastern Water Dragon subspecies?What taxonomic rank provides the most immediate indicator differentiating Intellagama from Physignathus?Both lineages of Water Dragons share membership in which taxonomic family?