1. a scientific name in which the genus and species names are identical
Usage: biology; taxonomy

Examples

• Rattlesnake rattlesnake is a tautonym for a species of rattlesnake.
• The scientific name Bison bison is a tautonym for the American bison.
• Many animal species have tautonyms where both parts of the binomial name are the same.
• Gorilla gorilla is a well-known tautonym in zoological nomenclature.
• Botanists generally avoid tautonyms, but they are common in animal taxonomy.
• The tautonym Vulpes vulpes refers to the red fox.