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==Taxonomic inconsistencies==
===Family inconsistencies===
====Blowhogs====
[[Tusked Blowhog]] is in a [[Tusked blowhog family|different family]] than the [[Blowhogs]] (which belong to the [[Blowhog family]]), but has the same genus, ''Sus''. This does not reflect real world taxonomy, because family is located above the genus on the classification tree, and as such every member of a genus must share the same family. Olimar notes that they are "similar to an ancestor species of the Fiery Blowhog" without marking any direct ancestral connection.{{cite quote|Similar to an ancestor species of the Fiery Blowhog, this creature has a pair of sharp tusks that it uses to charge enemies with vigorous violence.|[[Olimar]]|[[Olimar's notes]]}}

====Flint Beetle inconsistencies====
Although the [[Iridescent Glint Beetle]] is in a different family ([[Glint beetle family]]) to the [[Iridescent Flint Beetle]] and [[Doodlebug]] (which belong to the [[Flint beetle family]]), it has the same genus, ''Pilli'', as both. This is inaccurate to real world taxonomy because family is located above genus on the classification tree, so every member of a genus must share the same family.

In the English version of the ''Pikmin 2'' [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 2)|Piklopedia]], the [[Doodlebug]] belongs to the "flint bug family", however in other language versions it belongs to the [[flint beetle family]]. This was fixed in the [[Pikmin 2 (Nintendo Switch)|Nintendo Switch port]]. In the Spanish localization, both Glint beetles and Flint beetles are called ''Escarabichuelos''.

====Grub-dogs and Breadbugs====
Notoriously, the smaller enemies of the [[breadbug family]] mimic the appearance of [[Bulborb]]s in the [[grub-dog family]] and according to Olimar these were initially identified as a juvenile red bulborb.{{cite quote|Although initially identified as a juvenile red bulborb, groundbreaking new research indicates that this creature is in fact a member of the breadbug family. A close relative of the vanilla breadbug, it escapes predation through mimicry.|[[Olimar]]|[[Olimar's notes]]}} Breadbugs share the two toed feet of grub-dogs, and in the first two games have similar vocalization. There are three dwarf versions of bulborbs which are in fact grub-dogs, the [[Dwarf Bulbear]], [[Albino Dwarf Bulborb]] and the [[Dwarf Frosty Bulborb]]. Olimar claims that Albino Dwarf Bulborbs{{cite quote|Due to its pale coloration, it was assumed to be a mimic when it was first discovered. It was later confirmed to be a true Dwarf Bulborb.|[[Olimar]]|[[Olimar's notes]]}} and the Dwarf Frosty Bulborbs were originally falsely classified as breadbugs.{{cite quote|Juveniles display a smaller number of spots than the adults, causing some to believe that this was actually a species of mimicking Breadbug.|[[Olimar]]|[[Olimar's notes]]}}

Every member of the family is in the ''Pansarus'' genus aside from the [[Fiery Dwarf Bulblax]], which is under ''Oculus''. However, ''Oculus'' was a genus belonging to the [[grub-dog family]] prior to this enemy's first debut. Complicating the matter further, the [[Fireflap Bulborb]], another member of this family, has the same species name as the Bulblax &ndash; ''volcanus''. Both the [[Water Dumple]] and [[Long Water Dumple]] are in the ''Ichthyosa'' genus meanwhile the similar colored [[Eye-Stalker Bulbeel]] is within the ''Oculus'' genus.

Adding even more to the confusion, the [[Fiery Young Yellow Wollywog]], belonging to the very distant [[amphituber family]], actually has a genus name of ''Volcanus''. Because of these inconsistent and illogical {{w|Binomial nomenclature|taxonomic levels}}, it's safe to assume that these are all [[mistake]]s. Therefore, the Fiery Dwarf Bulblax should actually be in the ''Pansarus'' genus with all the other breadbugs. As for the amphituber in question, it can be decided that the genus ''Volcanus'' and the species ''volcanus'' are completely different levels and have the same names just by coincidence.

====Spectralids inconsistencies====
In ''Pikmin 2'', all [[Spectralids]] (Yellow, Red or Purple) were referred to as one species: "Unmarked Spectralids". Scientifically, all were classified within the [[flitterbie family]] under ''Fenestari prismatus''. With the release of ''Pikmin 3'', Spectralids made a reappearance in three different colors ([[White Spectralids|white]], [[Yellow Spectralids|yellow]], and [[Red Spectralids|red]]), all defined as different species by the [[lock-on]] display. This was further proven by the [[Piklopedia (Pikmin 3 Deluxe)|Piklopedia]], which gives each their own species name. However, all were classified under the [[flutterbie family]], one letter off from "flitterbie". The Yellow and White Spectralids also share the ''Fenestari'' genus, which is shared by all members of the flitterbie family. The Red Spectralids, however, have the ''Fenestrati'' genus, only two letters off from ''Fenestari''. Adding even more confusion, ''Hey! Pikmin'' introduces the [[Electric Spectralid]] as part of the [[Floaterbie family]]. It also shares the ''Fenestari'' genus. Some localizations including Japanese do not distinguish between "flutterbies" and "floaterbies".

Additionally, all Spectralids share the suffix ''-prismatus'', except for the Electric Spectralid which which has the scientific name ''Fenestari luminescens''.

===Genus inconsistencies===
The [[Creeping Chrysanthemum]] shares a genus name ''Taraxacum'' with the [[Dandelion]], even though they are in separate families; in real life, this is impossible, as different species cannot be in the same genus and different families. Additionally, the in-game [[Margaret]] plant is actually a yellow {{w|Argyranthemum frutescens|marguerite}}. Causing even more confusion, it's claimed to be in the [[chrysanthemum family]], likely due to marguerites, dandelion and chrysanthemums belonging to the {{w|Asteraceae|same family}} in real life.

In ''Pikmin 2'', all [[mandiblard]]s in that game are told to be in the ''himeagea'' genus. However, the [[Shearblug]], [[Speargrub]], and [[Queen Shearwig]] introduced in ''Hey! Pikmin'' are in a species with the same name as the genus. A genus can't also be labeled as a species, since the same level of classification can't change depending on creature. So, it can be argued that those enemies's species and genus names were swapped accidentally, and all mandiblards should be under the ''himeagea'' genus. The members of the [[wracknid family]] also have the genus name ''himeagea'' but are unlike the mandiblards spider-like. This is impossible, as members of different families cannot share the same genus. The [[Shearflea]] does not belong to the mandiblard family instead is part of the [[springjab family]].

===Species inconsistencies===
There are many cases where infant versions of a creature has a different name to the adult counterpart.

Oddly, despite the [[Smoky Progg]] (''Magovum vaporus'') being stated to be an offspring of [[Mamuta]] (''Hortulanus asymmetria''), they have completely different scientific names.

The scientific names for the [[Empress Bulblax]] (''Oculus matriarcha'') and the [[Bulborb Larva]] (''Oculus bambinii'') indicate they are different species, even though the latter is offspring of the former and should have the same scientific name. However, creatures on [[PNF-404]] are often very different from real-world creatures, so it giving birth to a different species wouldn't be too implausible in contrast to some other creatures. In the Japanese version, however, there are no scientific names; instead, the game features [[Pikipedia:Japanese#Japanese names and common names|Japanese names]]. In these names, the Empress Bulblax and the Bulborb Larva don't specify what type of Bulborb they are speaking of; the game simply refers to them as "Dememadara" (specimen with an expanded egg sac) and "Dememadara", where Dememadara is the Japanese name for the Bulborb species. One can identify that the specimens we see in the game are [[Bulborb|Red Bulborb]]s, however the Piklopedia entry doesn't specify it since it's not something specific to the Red Bulborbs. In a very similar case, the [[Spotty Bulbear]] is claimed to have the subspecies ''dotticum'', differing it from the [[Dwarf Bulbear]]. Not only does this not match since the dwarf variant lacks a subspecies, but it also is claimed to be a younger version of the Bulbear.{{cite quote|{{notes:Dwarf Bulbear/olimar}}|[[Captain Olimar]]|his notes on the [[Dwarf Bulbear]].}} An early English script shows the Bulbear's scientific name was originally just ''Oculus terribilis'', like its younger counterpart.{{cite web|https://tcrf.net/Pikmin_2/Early_English_Script#Spotty Bulbear|Pikmin 2/Early English Script|The Cutting Room Floor}}

The [[Fiery Blowlet]], described as the infant stage of the [[Fiery Blowhog]], has the subspecies ''infanta'', while the adult Fiery Blowhog doesn't even have one.

In the English version of the [[Creature Log]] the [[Centipare]] belongs to the [[centipare family]] while its adult form, the [[Adult Centipare]] belongs in the [[centifly family]]. In the Japanese, Dutch, German, Korean, and Spanish versions, both belong to the same family.

Once stripped of hair, the [[Shaggy Long Legs]] (''Pseudoarachnia capillum'') becomes a [[Baldy Long Legs]] (''Pseudoarachnia calvitium'') which are categorized as different species.

==Behavior-altering parasite==
Creatures which get possessed by parasites are listed among the family which controls them.

[[Moldy Dwarf Bulborb]]s and [[Moldy Slooch]]s are classified as members of the [[Sporovid family]] rather than grub-dog and [[Slooch family|slooch]] families because they are controlled by the spores of the [[Toxstool]]. Both creatures are categorized under the same name ''Parasitus pseudofungi elasticis hostus'' thus a subspecies of the Toxstool (''Parasitus pseudofungi elasticis'') Similarly, [[Bulbmin]] belongs to the [[Pikmin family]]. It can be argued that [[Mushroom Pikmin]], which has no official classification yet, belongs to the Sporovid family for being controlled by a [[Puffstool]]. The Japanese website stated that they may no longer count as Pikmin.{{cite web|https://www.nintendo.com/jp/character/pikmin/report/02.html|調査レポート|[[Pikmin Garden]]|quote=もはやピクミンとは思えないような姿の種類もいるようだ……。|retrieved=21 July 2023}}

Another example is the [[Startle Spore]] which belongs Chrysanthemum family and the ''taraxacum'' genus has nested inside a group of mushrooms.{{cite quote|As a result, we can theorize that like fellow Ambuloradicis the Bulbmin, this species is not an evolutionary variation, but that the body is a parasite that has nestled inside a group of mushrooms. Because the hosts are mushrooms, the Startle Spore cannot photosynthesize.|[[Olimar]]|[[Olimar's notes]]}} [[Pikmin Garden]] meanwhile states that [[Creeping Chrysanthemum]]'s plant parts us the parasite.{{cite web|https://www.nintendo.com/jp/character/pikmin/book/creeping_chrysanthemum.html|びっくり菊|English Translation of [[Pikmin Garden]]|quote=Similar to the Bulbmin, the plant part parasitizes another organism.}} The Creeping Chrysanthemum has different designs between {{p2}} and {{p4}} which is explained on ''Pikmin Garden'' by the difference in host{{cite web|https://www.nintendo.com/jp/character/pikmin/book/creeping_chrysanthemum.html|びっくり菊|English Translation of [[Pikmin Garden]]|quote=Depending on the type of host, the flower color, body shape, and method of predation differ}} and similar to the offsprings of the Toxstool both versions have the same scientific name.

Confusingly, the bulbmins has the genus ''parasiticus'' (while all other pikmins have the genus ''pikminidae'') while the Toxstool and their minions has the genus ''parasitus''.

==Other implied relations==
Additionally, in {{p2}} Olimar states that Pikmin are not tricked by the [[Creeping Chrysanthemum]] appearance and he concludes that they might share a common ancestor.{{cite quote|Like Pikmin, the creeping chrysanthemum is a member of a group of creatures with ambulatory root structures. This creature is known as a "mimic," but because it is actually a form of plant, this label is not entirely accurate. For unknown reasons, the creeping chrysanthemum's mimicry does not fool Pikmin, perhaps because they share a similar heritage.|[[Olimar]]|[[Olimar's notes]]}} For some unknown reason it was changed in {{p4}}, where Olimar now states that Pikmin are fooled "despite being members of the same class of organisms."{{cite quote|It uses its mimicry to lie in wait and ambush prey, unrecognized even by Pikmin despite being members of the same class of organisms.|[[Olimar]]|[[Olimar's notes]]}}

The [[Pellet Posy]] is said to be related to the pikmin and [[candypop family|candypop families]].{{cite quote|In the stem of the pellet posy, one can observe the muscle fiber unique to half-plant, half-animal species such as the Pikmin and candypop flowers, so the pellet posy is a species that can be considered a close relative.|[[Olimar]]|[[Olimar's notes]]}} The [[Candypop Bud]] is even speculated to be the "next step in Pikmin evolution".{{cite quote|Could this be the next step in Pikmin evolution? Like the Pikmin themselves, it has many mysteries.||[[Enemy reel]]}}

A "pond skater" is said to be a relative of the [[Skitter Leaf]].{{cite quote|{{Notes:Skitter Leaf/olimar}}|Captain Olimar|[[Olimar's notes]] for the [[Skitter Leaf]]}} It is unknown which species he is referring to, it might be the [[Skeeterskate]].

==References==
{{refs}}