Principle of Priority

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The Principle of Priority in Zoology as defined by ICZN states that the valid name of a taxon is the oldest available name applied to it, unless that name has been invalidated or another name is given precedence by any provision of the Code or by any ruling of the Commission. For emendments see [1]

It is the fundamental guiding precept that preserves the stability of biological nomenclature.It was first formulated in 1842 by a committee appointed by the British Association to consider the rules of zoological nomenclature.The committees report was written by Hugh Edwin Strickland.