Wikipedia:Notability (species)

This page documents an English Wikipedia notability guideline. Editors should generally follow it, though exceptions may apply. Substantive edits to this page should reflect consensus. When in doubt, discuss first on this guideline's talk page.

Shortcut WP:NSPECIES

This guideline reflects consensus about the notability of species. In general, all extant species that are accepted by the relevant international body of taxonomists are presumed notable, and all remaining species (i.e., the vast majority), subspecies, hybrids, cultivars, and morphs are notable only if they meet other applicable guidelines, such as the general notability guideline.

This guideline uses the taxonomic acceptance of the species' name as a simple and practical indicator of the existence of published sources, because achieving a name accepted under the relevant nomenclature code requires, at minimum, a significant description to be published in a reputable academic publication. Therefore, by definition, the article about any accepted species could be sourced to at least one academic publication even if that source is not currently cited in the article. The key publications relied upon for taxonomic acceptance, and often many other sources, can be found in many species databases.

Consider making appropriate redirects for synonyms and non-notable organisms.

All eukaryotic species that are accepted by taxonomists are presumed notable. Acceptance by taxonomists is proven by the existence of a correct name for plants, fungi, and algae, or a valid name for animals and protozoa.

No prokaryotic species (e.g., bacteria) is presumed notable merely because it has been identified as existing. Prokaryotic species are presumed notable only if they have a non-provisional correct name under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.

Non-accepted species, including operational taxonomic units, prokaryotic species with a provisional or candidatus name, and newly described species, should be considered under other notability rules. Editors should use their best judgment to determine whether Wikipedia is best served by having information about these non-accepted species in a separate article, in a stand-alone list, or merged into a larger subject.

No virus, viroid, or similar element is presumed notable merely because it has been identified as existing. A virus, viroid, or similar element is presumed notable only if it has been accepted by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses. For non-accepted mobile genetic elements, editors should use their best judgment to determine whether Wikipedia is best served by a separate article, a stand-alone list, or merging content into an article about a broader subject (e.g., plasmid).

• WP:MASSCREATE, the policy on mass creation of articles