Italic and Bold in Scientific Names

Rule: When using scientific names, capitalize and italicize the genus. Supergenus and subgenus, when applicable, are treated the same way.

Example: Berberis, Erithacus

Rule: Italicize but do not capitalize the level of species and below.

Example: Berberis darwinii, Erithacus rubecula superbus, Acacia coriacea subsp. sericophylla

Rule: Scientific names (order, family, etc.) are capitalized in Latin but not in their English equivalents

Rule: Names of viruses are italicized in Latin but not in their English equivalents

Example: Retroviridae, Retrovirus

Rule: Italicize all latin names and phrases, like ‘in utero’ or ‘de novo’

Rule: Only write in bold, when the sentences, phrases, or words should be highlighted, i.e. they contain special information. Only use bold to highlight words, not all capitalized words such as “Do NOT operate now.”