It should not be too specific. Determining the molecular mechanism by which a phenotype is produced can be a formidable task and should not be inferred by the name of the gene. The name should be a mnemonic for the mutant phenotype. For example, cyclops is an excellent name for the mutation isolated in Eugene that produces a cyclopic phenotype. The name should be unique, one or two words, and italicized.
Longer names tend to be impractical to use.
Avoid choosing names identical to those used in other species. For mutations in different genes that all have similar phenotypes, a single name followed by consecutive numbers should not be used. This nomenclature makes the field less accessible to the outsider. A mutation in a second gene resulting in cyclopia could be called fused-eyes , but should not be called cyclops2 . Naming cloned genes 1.