Gender agreement in zoological nomenclature

Specific names can either be changeable (Latin adjectives with different declinations according to the gender of the genus, like albus, alba, album) or unchangeable (nouns and adjectives that don't change, like splendens, splendens, splendens).
We are only interested in recognizing changeable adjectives. Unchangeable adjectives behave exactly like nouns and it is not even necessary to know what exactly they are.
Changeable adjectives can only have seven endings, nouns can have all endings.
Endings of changeable adjectives (but caution, nouns can have the same endings) can only be:

-a (38 %), -e (3.3 %), -um (3.3 %), -er (0.9 %), -ior (0.2 %), -is (13 %), -us (21 %)

All other endings indicate unchangeable names, either nouns or unchangeable adjectives.
Our problem is that 80 % of the zoological names of species have exactly these endings.




List of the correct numerals prefixes
List of usual names which are changeable or unchangeable
How to recognize a Latin adjective? (rules and examples)


List of the correct numerals prefixes:

1

uni-

11

undecim-

21

vigintiunus- (not unusetviginti-)

2

bi-

12

duodecim-

22

vigintiduo- (not duoetviginti-)

3

tri-

13

tredecim- (not tridecim-)

23

vigintitres-

4

quadri-

14

quattuordecim- (not quatuordecim-)

24

vigintiquattuor- (not vigintiquatuor-)

5

quinque-

15

quindecim-

25

vigintiquinque- (not quinqueetviginti-)

6

sex-

16

sedecim- (not sexdecim-)

26

vigintisex-

7

septem-

17

septendecim- (not septemdecim-)

27

vigintiseptem- (not septemetviginti-)

8

octo-

18

octodecim- (not duodeviginti-)

28

vigintiocto- (not octoetviginti, not duodetriginti-)

9

novem-

19

novendecim- (not unusdeviginti-, not novemdecim-)

29

vigintinovem- (not novemetviginti-, not unusdetriginti-)

10

decem-

20

viginti-

30

triginti-


32

trigintiduo- (not duoettriginti-)

40

quadraginti-

100

centem-

etc.


List of names
(Compound words are listed after the primary word and not after the prefix!
For example, a-pterus is listed in p for pterus, albo-dentatus in d for dentatus, fili-formis in f for formis etc.)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N

O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

abacus

unchangeable

abdominalis, -is, -e

changeable

abietis

unchangeable

accedula

unchangeable

acer, acris, acre

changeable

aceris

unchangeable

actaceus, -a, -um

changeable

acus

unchangeable

acutus, -a, -um

changeable

admetus

unchangeable

adonis

unchangeable

adversus, -a, -um

changeable

aeneus, -a, -um

changeable

aequalis, -is, -e

changeable

inaequalis, etc.

aequinoctialis, -is, -e

changeable

aetolus

unchangeable

afer, afra, afrum

changeable

affinis, -is, -e

changeable

agilis, -is, -e

changeable

agrarius, -a, -um

changeable

agrestis, -is, -e

changeable

agricola

unchangeable

alacer, alacris, alacre

changeable

alatus, -a, -um

changeable

albus, -a, -um

changeable

alexis

unchangeable

alliarius, -a, -um

changeable

alpestris, -is, -e

changeable

alpicola

unchangeable

alpinus, -a, -um

changeable

alpium

unchangeable

altaiensis

unchangeable

alternatus, -a, -um

changeable

altus, -a, -um

changeable

amathusia

unchangeable

americanus, -a, -um

changeable

amiralis

unchangeable

ammiralis

unchangeable

ampulla

unchangeable

ampullatus, -a, -um

changeable

anfractus

unchangeable

trianfractus, etc.

angularis, -is, -e

changeable

subangularis, triangularis, etc.

angulatus, -a, -um

changeable

angulosus, -a, -um

changeable

biangulosus, etc.

annulatus, -a, -um

changeable

anser

unchangeable

anseris

unchangeable

apoda

unchangeable

appendiculatus, -a, -um

changeable

aprilinus, -a, -um

changeable

apterus, -a, -um

changeable

aquaticus, -a, -um

changeable

aquatilis, -is, -e

changeable

arboreus, -a, -um

changeable

arcticus, -a, -um

changeable

arenarius, -a, -um

changeable

argentatus, -a, -um

changeable

argenteus, -a, -um

changeable

argiolus

unchangeable

argus

unchangeable

argutus, -a, -um

changeable

arietis

unchangeable

armatus, -a, -um

changeable

armillatus, -a, -um

changeable

arvalis, -is, -e

changeable

asiaticus, -a, -um

changeable

asinus

unchangeable

asper, -era, -erum

changeable

aspersus, -a, -um

changeable

asteris

unchangeable

atalanta

unchangeable

ater, atra, atrum

changeable

atomarius, -a, -um

changeable

atratus, -a, -um

changeable

aulicus, -a, -um

changeable

aurantius, -a, -um

changeable

auratus, -a, -um

changeable

aureolatus, -a, -um

changeable

aureus, -a, -um

changeable

auricomus, -a, -um

changeable

aurinia

unchangeable

auritus, -a, -um

changeable

inauritus, etc.

aurora

unchangeable

australis, -is, -e

changeable

autumnalis, -is, -e

changeable

avellanarius, -a, -um

changeable

avenaceus, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

baculus

unchangeable

baldus

unchangeable

balteatus, -a, -um

changeable

balthicus, -a, -um

changeable

barbarus, -a, -um

changeable

barbatus, -a, -um

changeable

baucis

unchangeable

blandus, -a, -um

changeable

borealis, -is, -e

changeable

boreus, -a, -um

changeable

brachypterus, -a, -um

changeable

brachyurus, -a, -um

changeable

bracteatus, -a, -um

changeable

brasiliensis, -is, -e

changeable

brevis, -is, -e

changeable

brunneus, -a, -um

changeable

bubalis

unchangeable

bubalus

unchangeable

bucephalus, -a, -um

changeable

bulla

unchangeable

bullatus, -a, -um

changeable

bundus, -a, -um

changeable

floribundus, meditabundus, ridibundus, vagabundus, etc.

[top]

caballus

unchangeable

caementarius, -a, -um

changeable

caeruleus, -a, -um

changeable

caesius, -a, -um

changeable

caffer, caffra, caffrum

changeable

caia

unchangeable

caius

unchangeable

calamitosus, -a, -um

changeable

calcaratus, -a, -um

changeable

calidris

unchangeable

calidus, -a, -um

changeable

calvus, -a, -um

changeable

campanula

unchangeable

campestris, -is, -e

changeable

cancellatus, -a, -um

changeable

cancellus

unchangeable

candidus, -a, -um

changeable

caninus, -a, -um

changeable

cantans

unchangeable

capensis, -is, -e

changeable

capillaris, -is, -e

changeable

capotea

unchangeable

capreolus

unchangeable

captivus, -a, -um

changeable

capucinus, -a, -um

changeable

capybara

unchangeable

cardinalis, -is, -e

changeable

carinatus, -a, -um

changeable

cariosus, -a, -um

changeable

carunculus, -a, -um

changeable

caspius, -a, -um

changeable

catena

unchangeable

catenatus, -a, -um

changeable

cauda

unchangeable

caudacutus, -a, -um

changeable

caudatus, -a, -um

changeable

caudus

unchangeable

celer, celeris, celere

changeable

cellaris, -is, -e

changeable

centaurus

unchangeable

centralis, -is, -e

changeable

cephus

unchangeable

ceronus

unchangeable

chloroticus, -a, -um

changeable

chryse

unchangeable

chrysis

unchangeable

ciliaris, -is, -e

changeable

ciliatus, -a, -um

changeable

cinctus, -a, -um

changeable

novemcinctus,tricinctus, etc.

cinereus, -a, -um

changeable

circinatus, -a, -um

changeable

circinnatus, -a, -um

changeable

circularis, -is, -e

changeable

citellus

unchangeable

citreolus, -a, -um

changeable

civetta

unchangeable

clathratus, -a, -um

changeable

clathrus

unchangeable

clavatus, -a, -um

changeable

clavus

unchangeable

cleobis

unchangeable

coeruleatus, -a, -um

changeable

coeruleus, -a, -um

changeable

cognatus, -a, -um

changeable

collaris, -is, -e

changeable

collis

unchangeable

albicollis, ruficollis, etc

color

unchangeable

bicolor, tricolor, unicolor, concolor, discolor, diversicolor, etc.

colorus, -a, -um

changeable

bicolorus, tricolorus, ruficolorus, etc.

comatus, -a, -um

changeable

comis, -is, -e

changeable

comma

unchangeable

communis, -is, -e

changeable

complanatus, -a, -um

changeable

complanus, -a, -um

changeable

compressus, -a, -um

changeable

comptus, -a, -um

changeable

conchilega

unchangeable

conformis, -is, -e

changeable

confusus, -a, -um

changeable

conicus, -a, -um

changeable

connatus, -a, -um

changeable

conoideus, -a, -um

changeable

constrictus, -a, -um

changeable

conulus

unchangeable

cordatus, -a, -um

changeable

bicordatus, etc.

coriaceus, -a, -um

changeable

cornis, -is, -e

changeable

bicornis, etc.

cornutus, -a, -um

changeable

corollaris, -is, -e

changeable

coronalis, -is, -e

changeable

coronatus, -a, -um

changeable

corticatus, -a, -um

changeable

costa

unchangeable

filicosta, gracilicosta, milicosta, magnicosta, etc.

costalis, -is, -e

changeable

costatus, -a, -um

changeable

crassus, -a, -um

changeable

crenatus, -a, -um

changeable

cribrarius, -a, -um

changeable

crispus, -a, -um

changeable

cristatus, -a, -um

changeable

crocatus, -a, -um

changeable

cruciatus

unchangeable

crudus, -a, -um

changeable

cruentatus, -a, -um

changeable

cruentus, -a, -um

changeable

cupreus, -a, -um

changeable

curvatus, -a, -um

changeable

cuspidatus, -a, -um

changeable

tricuspidatus, etc.

cuspis

unchangeable

bicuspis, tricuspis, etc.

cyaneus, -a, -um

changeable

cyanus, -a, -um

changeable

cyathina

unchangeable

cylindraceus, -a, -um

changeable

cylindricus, -a, -um

changeable

cyllarus

unchangeable

cynthia

unchangeable

cytheris

unchangeable

[top]

dactylus, -a, -um

changeable

dama

unchangeable

dardanus, -a, -um

changeable

dauricus, -a, -um

changeable

dauuricus, -a, -um

changeable

decorus, -a, -um

changeable

decumana

unchangeable

decumanus

unchangeable

decussatus, -a, -um

changeable

degener, degenera, degeneris

changeable

dentalis

unchangeable

dentatus, -a, -um

changeable

bidentatus, octodentatus, tridentatus, unidentatus, etc.

depressior, depressius

changeable

depressus, -a, -um

changeable

detritus, -a, -um

changeable

deustus, -a, -um

changeable

dexter, dextra, dextrum

changeable

diadema

unchangeable

diadematus, -a, -um

changeable

diaphanus, -a, -um

changeable

dichrous, -a, -um

changeable

didymus, -a, -um

changeable

difficilis, -is, -e

changeable

digitatus, -a, -um

changeable

deciesdigitatus, octiesdigitatus, etc.

dilatatus, -a, -um

changeable

distinctus, -a, -um

changeable

distortus, -a, -um

changeable

docilis, -is, -e

changeable

domesticus, -a, -um

changeable

dominulus, -a, -um

changeable

dorsalis, -is, -e

changeable

dorsatus, -a, -um

changeable

dorus

unchangeable

dubius, -a, -um

changeable

dypterigius, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

eburneus, -a, -um

changeable

echinatus, -a, -um

changeable

edentulus, -a, -um

changeable

edulis, -is, -e

changeable

empetra

unchangeable

epeus

unchangeable

ephippium

unchangeable

ephippiatus, -a, -um

changeable

episcopalis, -is, -e

changeable

equestris, -is, -e

changeable

equinus, -a, -um

changeable

eremita

unchangeable

erinaceus

unchangeable

ervum

unchangeable

erythraeus, -a, -um

changeable

erythrinus, -a, -um

changeable

esculentus, -a, -um

changeable

eudora

unchangeable

excavatus, -a, -um

changeable

excisus, -a, -um

changeable

exclamationis, -is, -e

changeable

exilis, -is, -e

changeable

exsoletus, -a, -um

changeable

exustus, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

faba

unchangeable

faber

unchangeable

falcatus, -a, -um

changeable

fasciatus, -a, -um

changeable

trifasciatus, quaterfasciatus, sexiesfasciatus, unifasciatus, etc.

fascicularis, -is, -e

changeable

fasciolatus, -a, -um

changeable

fauna

unchangeable

femoralis, -is, -e

changeable

fenestralis, -is, -e

changeable

fenestratus, -a, -um

changeable

ferrugineus, -a, -um

changeable

ferus, -a, -um

changeable

festivus, -a, -um

changeable

fiber

unchangeable

fibra

unchangeable

fidus, -a, -um

changeable

bifidus, quadrifidus, trifidus, etc.

filamentosus, -a, -um

changeable

fimbriatus, -a, -um

changeable

fissura

unchangeable

flammeus, -a, -um

changeable

flavatus, -a, -um

changeable

flaveolus, -a, -um

changeable

flavidus, -a, -um

changeable

flavus, -a, -um

changeable

floralis, -is, -e

changeable

floreus, -a, -um

changeable

florus, -a, -um

changeable

fluviatilis, -is, -e

changeable

foina

unchangeable

foliatus, -a, -um

changeable

fontinalis, -is, -e

changeable

forcipatus, -a, -um

changeable

formis, -is, -e

changeable

araneiformis, filiformis, pyriformis, reniformis, scutiformis, tubiformis, vespiformis, etc.

formosus, -a, -um

changeable

fossa

unchangeable

fossilis, -is, -e

changeable

fragilis, -is, -e

changeable

frondosus, -a, -um

changeable

frontalis, -is, -e

changeable

frumentarius, -a, -um

changeable

fucatus, -a, -um

changeable

fulgidus, -a, -um

changeable

fulica

unchangeable

fuliginosus, -a, -um

changeable

fulminatus, -a, -um

changeable

fulvus, -a, -um

changeable

funebris, -is, -e

changeable

funereus, -a, -um

changeable

furciferus, -a, -um

changeable

furunculus

unchangeable

fuscatus, -a, -um

changeable

fuscus, -a, -um

changeable

apicifuscus, subfuscus, etc.

fusus

unchangeable

[top]

galbula

unchangeable

galerus, -a, -um

changeable

gallicus, -a, -um

changeable

gallina

unchangeable

garrulus

unchangeable

gaster

unchangeable

appendigaster, erythrogaster, haemagaster, melanogaster, etc.

gasteropelecus

unchangeable

gemmatus, -a, -um

changeable

gibba

unchangeable

gibber, gibbera, gibberum

changeable

gibberulus, -a, -um

changeable

gibbosus, -a, -um

changeable

gibbum

unchangeable

gibbus

unchangeable

giganteus, -a, -um

changeable

glaber, glabra, glabrum

changeable

glacialis, -is, -e

changeable

glaucinus, -a, -um

changeable

glis

unchangeable

globosus, -a, -um

changeable

semiglobosus, subglobosus, etc.

globularis, -is, -e

changeable

globulus

unchangeable

glomeratus, -a, -um

changeable

glycimeris

unchangeable

glyphicus, -a, -um

changeable

gordius

unchangeable

gracilis, -is, -e

changeable

grammus, -a, -um

changeable

diagrammus, leucogrammus, melanogrammus, polygrammus, trigrammus, etc.

grandifer, -fera, -ferum

changeable

grandior, -ior, -ius

changeable

grandis, -is, -e

changeable

granulatus, -a, -um

changeable

gratilla

unchangeable

gravis, -is, -e

changeable

gregalis, -is, -e

changeable

gregarius, -a, -um

changeable

griseus, -a, -um

changeable

grossus, -a, -um

changeable

gula

unchangeable

cyanogula, flavigula, etc.

gulosus, -a, -um

changeable

guttatus, -a, -um

changeable

biguttatus, octoguttatus, triguttatus, etc.

gutturosus, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

haemorrhoidalis, -is, -e

changeable

halteratus, -a, -um

changeable

hamatus, -a, -um

changeable

bihamatus, etc.

hastatus, -a, -um

changeable

hecticus, -a, -um

changeable

helicinus, -a, -um

changeable

helvolus, -a, -um

changeable

hemionus

unchangeable

hemipterus, -a, -um

changeable

hemisphaericus, -a, -um

changeable

hepaticus, -a, -um

changeable

hermaphrodita

unchangeable

hermaphroditus

unchangeable

heteroclita

unchangeable

hippelaphus

unchangeable

hircus

unchangeable

hirtus, -a, -um

changeable

hispidus, -a, -um

changeable

hortensis, -is, -e

changeable

horticola

unchangeable

hudsonius, -a, -um

changeable

humeralis, -is, -e

changeable

humilis, -is, -e

changeable

hybrida

unchangeable

hybridus

unchangeable

hydatidis

unchangeable

hydrochaeris

unchangeable

hydrus

unchangeable

hyematus, -a, -um

changeable

hyrcanus

unchangeable

[top]

ianira

unchangeable

ianthe

unchangeable

iberis

unchangeable

icarus

unchangeable

ictericus, -a, -um

changeable

ignobilis, -is, -e

changeable

imbricatus, -a, -um

changeable

imperalis, -is, -e

changeable

imperialis, -is, -e

changeable

impressus, -a, -um

changeable

inauratus, -is, -e

changeable

inauris

unchangeable

incertus, -is, -e

changeable

indicus, -a, -um

changeable

inermis, -is, -e

changeable

inermus, -a, -um

changeable

infundibulum

unchangeable

innotatus, -a, -um

changeable

innubus, -a, -um

changeable

inquilinus

unchangeable

insularis, -is, -e

changeable

integer, integra, integrum

changeable

interruptus, -a, -um

changeable

intersectus, -a, -um

changeable

intestinalis, -is, -e

changeable

irroratus, -a, -um

changeable

jamaicensis, -is, -e

changeable

jubatus, -a, -um

changeable

jugularis, -is, -e

changeable

[top]

labris

unchangeable

lacteolus, -a, -um

changeable

lacustris, -is, -e

changeable

laetus, -a, -um

changeable

laevigatus, -a, -um

changeable

laevis, -is, -e

changeable

laganum

unchangeable

lagopus

unchangeable

lagurus, -a, -um

changeable

lamda

unchangeable

lamia

unchangeable

lanatus, -a, -um

changeable

lanceolatus, -a, -um

changeable

lateralis, -is, -e

changeable

lateritius, -a, -um

changeable

lathyrus

unchangeable

latus, -a, -um

changeable

petiolatus, etc.

lazarus

unchangeable

lemma

unchangeable

lemmus

unchangeable

lenticularis, -is, -e

changeable

lentus, -a, -um

changeable

leodorus

unchangeable

leoninus, -a, -um

changeable

leopardus

unchangeable

leporinus, -a, -um

changeable

leucocephalus, -a, -um

changeable

leucomelus, -a, -um

changeable

leucurus, -a, -um

changeable

leucus, -a, -um

changeable

hololeucus, hypoleucus, melaleucus, melanoleucus, ochroleucus, etc.

liber, libera, liberum

changeable

limacina

unchangeable

limbatus, -a, -um

changeable

albolimbatus, etc.

linaria

unchangeable

linearis, -is, -e

changeable

lineatus, -a, -um

changeable

trilineatus, etc.

lineola

unchangeable

littoralis, -is, -e

changeable

littoreus, -a, -um

changeable

lituratus, -a, -um

changeable

lividus, -a, -um

changeable

lixula

unchangeable

lobatus, -a, -um

changeable

lobus, -a, -um

changeable

bilobus, quadrilobus, rufilobus, trilobus, etc.

longissimus, -a, -um

changeable

lucidus, -a, -um

changeable

lucifugus, -a, -um

changeable

luciola

unchangeable

lugubris, -is, -e

changeable

lunaris, -is, -e

changeable

lunatus, -a, -um

changeable

lunula

unchangeable

lunulatus, -a, -um

changeable

luperus

unchangeable

lupus

unchangeable

luridus, -a, -um

changeable

luteus, -a, -um

changeable

lynceus, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

macer, macra, macrum

changeable

macrourus, -a, -um

changeable

macula

unchangeable

maculatus, -a, -um

changeable

bimaculatus, trimaculatus, etc.

madidus, -a, -um

changeable

magnus, -a, -um

changeable

maior, maior, maius

changeable

malabaricus, -a, -um

changeable

malaccensis, -is, -e

changeable

mammillaris, -is, -e

changeable

maraena

unchangeable

maraenula

unchangeable

marginalis, -is, -e

changeable

marginatus, -a, -um

changeable

marginellus, -a, -um

changeable

marinus, -a, -um

changeable

maritimus, -a, -um

changeable

marmoratus, -a, -um

changeable

massa

unchangeable

maturus, -a, -um

changeable

maurus, -a, -um

changeable

maxillosus, -a, -um

changeable

mediterraneus, -a, -um

changeable

medius, -a, -um

changeable

intermedius, etc.

medusa

unchangeable

megaera

unchangeable

melampus

unchangeable

melanogaster

unchangeable

melanurus, -a, -um

changeable

meleager

unchangeable

membranaceus, -a, -um

changeable

mendicus, -a, -um

changeable

mentula

unchangeable

mentulatus, -a, -um

changeable

merdarius, -a, -um

changeable

meridionalis, -is, -e

changeable

meticulosus, -a, -um

changeable

mexicanus, -a, -um

changeable

microphthalmus, -a, -um

changeable

migratorius, -a, -um

changeable

miliaris, -is, -e

changeable

militaris, -is, -e

changeable

miniatus, -a, -um

changeable

minimus, -a, -um

changeable

minor, minus

changeable

minutus, -a, -um

changeable

mirabilis, -is, -e

changeable

miser, misera, miserum

changeable

modestus, -a, -um

changeable

moeris

unchangeable

mola

unchangeable

mollis, -is, -e

changeable

molossus

unchangeable

mona

unchangeable

monacha

unchangeable

monachus

unchangeable

mongolicus, -a, -um

changeable

monile

unchangeable

monilis

unchangeable

monotis

unchangeable

monticola

unchangeable

morbillosus, -a, -um

changeable

morella

unchangeable

morpheus

unchangeable

moschatus, -a, -um

changeable

mucidus, -a, -um

changeable

mucronatus, -a, -um

changeable

mundus, -a, -um

changeable

muraena

unchangeable

muralis, -is, -e

changeable

muricatus, -a, -um

changeable

bimuricatus, etc.

murinus, -a, -um

changeable

mursa

unchangeable

mutabilis, -is, -e

changeable

muticus, -a, -um

changeable

mutus, -a, -um

changeable

mystaceus, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

naevia

unchangeable

naevius

unchangeable

nanus, -a, -um

changeable

nasus

unchangeable

nasutus, -a, -um

changeable

natus, -a, -um&

changeable

navalis, -is, -e

changeable

navicula

unchangeable

nebulosus, -a, -um

changeable

nemoralis, -is, -e

changeable

nervosus, -a, -um

changeable

niger, nigra, nigrum

changeable

nigrellus, -a, -um

changeable

nigrita

unchangeable

nigritum

unchangeable

nigritus

unchangeable

nimbosus, -a, -um

changeable

nisus

unchangeable

nitidulus, -a, -um

changeable

nitidus, -a, -um

changeable

nivalis, -is, -e

changeable

niveatus, -a, -um

changeable

niveus, -a, -um

changeable

nivosus, -a, -um

changeable

nobilis, -is, -e

changeable

nodosus, -a, -um

changeable

nodulosus, -a, -um

changeable

notatus, -a, -um

changeable

binotatus, centumnotatus, multinotatus, octonotatus, etc.

novus, -is, -e

changeable

nubilis, -is, -e

changeable

nucleus

unchangeable

nyroca

unchangeable

[top]

obliquus, -a, -um

changeable

oblongus, -a, -um

changeable

obscuratus, -a, -um

changeable

obscurus, -a, -um

changeable

obsitus, -a, -um

changeable

obsoletus, -a, -um

changeable

occidentalis, -is, -e

changeable

oceanicus, -a, -um

changeable

ocellaris

unchangeable

ocellatus, -a, -um

changeable

ocularis, -is, -e

changeable

biocularis, etc.

ocularius, -a, -um

changeable

oculatus, -a, -um

changeable

bioculatus, nigroculatus, etc.

oeconomicus

unchangeable

oeconomus

unchangeable

officinalis, -is, -e

changeable

ogotona

unchangeable

olivaceus, -a, -um

changeable

opacus, -a, -um

changeable

opercularis, -is, -e

changeable

orbicularis, -is, -e

changeable

orbiculatus, -a, -um

changeable

orientalis, -is, -e

changeable

ornatus, -a, -um

changeable

orsa

unchangeable

orsus

unchangeable

ovalis, -is, -e

changeable

ovatus, -a, -um

changeable

ovum

unchangeable

oxycephalus, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

paganus, -a, -um

changeable

paleaceus, -a, -um

changeable

pallidatus, -a, -um

changeable

pallidulus, -a, -um

changeable

pallidus, -a, -um

changeable

paludosus, -a, -um

changeable

palustris, -is, -e

changeable

pamphilius, -a, -um

changeable

pamphilus, -a, -um

changeable

paniscus

unchangeable

papalis, -is, -e

changeable

papaveris

unchangeable

papillosus, -a, -um

changeable

paradoxus, -a, -um

changeable

parasita

unchangeable

parasiticus, -a, -um

changeable

parasitus

unchangeable

parietinus, -a, -um

changeable

parisiensis, -is, -e

changeable

partitus, -a, -um

changeable

bipartitus, tripartitus, etc.

parvulus, -a, -um

changeable

parvus, -a, -um

changeable

passerinus, -a, -um

changeable

passeris

unchangeable

patellaris, -is, -e

changeable

patulus, -a, -um

changeable

pavidus, -a, -um

changeable

pedestris, -is, -e

changeable

pedicularius, -a, -um

changeable

pediculus

unchangeable

pelagicus, -a, -um

changeable

pelecus

unchangeable

pellucidus, -a, -um

changeable

penicillus

unchangeable

pennis, -is, -e

changeable

albipennis, flavipennis, longipennis, rubripennis, rufipennis, etc.

peregrinus, -a, -um

changeable

peregusna

unchangeable

perforatus, -a, -um

changeable

bisperforatus, quaterperforatus, sexiesperforatus, etc.

perla

unchangeable

perlatus, -a, -um

changeable

persicus, -a, -um

changeable

perspicillatus, -a, -um

changeable

pertusus, -a, -um

changeable

perversus, -a, -um

changeable

phaga

unchangeable

cancrophaga, coprophaga, myrmecophaga, etc.

philanthus

unchangeable

philoxenus

unchangeable

phthalmus, -a, -um

changeable

piceus, -a, -um

changeable

pictus, -a, -um

changeable

piger, pigra, pigrum

changeable

pileatus, -a, -um

changeable

pileus

unchangeable

pilosellus, -a, -um

changeable

pilosus, -a, -um

changeable

pilula

unchangeable

pirinus, -a, -um

changeable

planatus, -a, -um

changeable

planicornis, -is, -e

changeable

planorbis

unchangeable

planus, -a, -um

changeable

plestya

unchangeable

plumosus, -a, -um

changeable

pluvialis, -is, -e

changeable

pocillum

unchangeable

podalirius, -a, -um

changeable

politus, -a, -um

changeable

polyphemus

unchangeable

porca

unchangeable

porcatus, -a, -um

changeable

porcellus

unchangeable

porcinus, -a, -um

changeable

porcus

unchangeable

prasinarius, -a, -um

changeable

prasinus, -a, -um

changeable

pratensis, -is, -e

changeable

principalis, -is, -e

changeable

procer, procris, procre

changeable

proserpina

unchangeable

pterus, -a, -um

changeable

apterus, brachypterus, chrysopterus, erythropterus, leucopterus, melanopterus, etc.

puber

unchangeable

pubera

unchangeable

pudicus, -a, -um

changeable

pulchellus, -a, -um

changeable

pulcher, -ra, -rum

changeable

pulicarius, -a, -um

changeable

pullus, -a, -um

changeable

pulverulentus, -a, -um

changeable

pumila

unchangeable

pumilionis

unchangeable

pumilus, -a, -um

changeable

punctatus, -a, -um

changeable

tripunctatus, unipunctatus, etc.

purpureus, -a, -um

changeable

pusillus, -a, -um

changeable

pustulatus, -a, -um

changeable

pustulosus, -a, -um

changeable

putrinus, -a, -um

changeable

pygargus, -a, -um

changeable

pygmaeus, -a, -um

changeable

pygmeus, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

querulus, -a, -um

changeable

radiatus, -a, -um

changeable

biradiatus, multiradiatus, quaterradiatus, striatoradiatus, etc.

radula

unchangeable

ramosus, -a, -um

changeable

biramosus, etc.

raucus, -a, -um

changeable

reduncus, -a, -um

changeable

regalis, -is, -e

changeable

regius, -a, -um

changeable

regularis, -is, -e

changeable

regulus

unchangeable

remigatus, -a, -um

changeable

repandus, -a, -um

changeable

reticulatus, -a, -um

changeable

reticulum

unchangeable

retusus, -a, -um

changeable

rhyncha

unchangeable

rhynchus

unchangeable

ridibundus, -a, -um

changeable

riparius, -a, -um

changeable

rivalis

unchangeable

rivularis, -is, -e

changeable

roratus, -a, -um

changeable

irroratus, etc.

roridus, -a, -um

changeable

rosaceus, -a, -um

changeable

roseus, -a, -um

changeable

rostratus, -a, -um

changeable

rostris, -is, -e

changeable

albirostris, brevirostris, flavirostris, longirostris, planirostris, etc.

rotundus, -a, -um

changeable

subrotundus, etc.

ruber, rubra, rubrum

changeable

rubiginosus, -a, -um

changeable

rubricollis

unchangeable

rudis, -is, -e

changeable

rufinus, -a, -um

changeable

rufulus, -a, -um

changeable

rufus, -a, -um

changeable

rugosus, -a, -um

changeable

rupestris, -is, -e

changeable

rupium

unchangeable

rusticus, -a, -um

changeable

rutilus, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

sabaeus, -a, -um

changeable

sabulosus, -a, -um

changeable

sacer, sacra, sacrum

changeable

saetosus, -a, -um

changeable

sagitta

unchangeable

saida

unchangeable

salicis

unchangeable

sanguinarius, -a, -um

changeable

sanguineus, -a, -um

changeable

sardicus, -a, -um

changeable

satur, satura, saturum

changeable

saturninus, -a, -um

changeable

satyra

unchangeable

satyrus

unchangeable

saxatilis, -is, -e

changeable

scaber, scabra, scabrum

changeable

scabrosus, -a, -um

changeable

scalaris, -is, -e

changeable

scapha

unchangeable

scapularis, -is, -e

changeable

scissus, -a, -um

changeable

abscissus, etc.

scutatus, -a, -um

changeable

scutellatus, -a, -um

changeable

scytha

unchangeable

secale

unchangeable

secalis

unchangeable

sectus, -a, -um

changeable

albisectus, bisectus, dissectus, exsectus, quadrisectus, trisectus, etc.

segetis, -is, -e

changeable

segetum

unchangeable

sellatus, -a, -um

changeable

seminulum

unchangeable

seniculus, -a, -um

changeable

senilis, -is, -e

changeable

sericeus, -a, -um

changeable

serotinus, -a, -um

changeable

serratus, -a, -um

changeable

serva

unchangeable

servus

unchangeable

setosus, -a, -um

changeable

sibilla

unchangeable

sibiricus, -a, -um

changeable

signatus, -a, -um

changeable

silena

unchangeable

silenus

unchangeable

sileris

unchangeable

silvaticus, -a, -um

changeable

similis, -is, -e

changeable

sinensis, -is, -e

changeable

singularis, -is, -e

changeable

sinicus, -a, -um

changeable

sinuatus, -a, -um

changeable

sitibundus, -a, -um

changeable

smaragdulus, -a, -um

changeable

socialis, -is, -e

changeable

socius, -a, -um

changeable

solidus, -a, -um

changeable

solstitialis, -is, -e

changeable

sororcula

unchangeable

spadiceus, -a, -um

changeable

speciosus, -a, -um

changeable

spectabilis, -is, -e

changeable

spectrum

unchangeable

specularis, -is, -e

changeable

spina

unchangeable

spinosulus, -a, -um

changeable

spinosus, -a, -um

changeable

bispinosus, multispinosus, quadrispinosus, subspinosus, trispinosus, etc.

spinus

unchangeable

bispinus, unispinus, etc.

spiralis

unchangeable

splendidulus, -a, -um

changeable

splendidus, -a, -um

changeable

spurius, -a, -um

changeable

squalidus, -a, -um

changeable

stabilis, -is, -e

changeable

stagnalis, -is, -e

changeable

stellaris, -is, -e

changeable

stellatus, -a, -um

changeable

sticticus, -a, -um

changeable

stigma

unchangeable

stolidus, -a, -um

changeable

straminea

unchangeable

stramineus

unchangeable

striatulus, -a, -um

changeable

striatus, -a, -um

changeable

bistriatus, semistriatus, etc.

stridulus, -a, -um

changeable

strigatus, -a, -um

changeable

strigula

unchangeable

stupidus, -a, -um

changeable

stylatus, -a, -um

changeable

tetrastylatus, etc.

suberosus, -a, -um

changeable

subterraneus, -a, -um

changeable

subtilis, -is, -e

changeable

subucula

unchangeable

subuculus

unchangeable

suillus, -a, -um

changeable

sulcatus, -a, -um

changeable

sulphureus, -a, -um

changeable

suslica

unchangeable

suspensus, -a, -um

changeable

sutorius, -a, -um

changeable

suturalis, -is, -e

changeable

sylvaticus, -a, -um

changeable

sylvestris, -is, -e

changeable

sylvicola

unchangeable

[top]

tabidus, -a, -um

changeable

taeniatus, -a, -um

changeable

talpinus, -a, -um

changeable

tarpeius, -a, -um

changeable

tataricus, -a, -um

changeable

taurus

unchangeable

taxus

unchangeable

telegonus

unchangeable

tenebrosus, -a, -um

changeable

tenellus, -a, -um

changeable

tener, tenera, tenerum

changeable

tenuis, -is, -e

changeable

tepidus, -a, -um

changeable

terrestris, -is, -e

changeable

tessella

unchangeable

tessellatus, -a, -um

changeable

tessulatus, -a, -um

changeable

testaceus, -a, -um

changeable

testudinarius, -a, -um

changeable

tettigonus

unchangeable

thalassinus, -a, -um

changeable

thetis

unchangeable

thoracicus, -a, -um

changeable

thymifolia

unchangeable

tibialis, -is, -e

changeable

tigrinus, -a, -um

changeable

tomentosus, -a, -um

changeable

subtomendosus, etc.

toreumaticus, -a, -um

changeable

torquatus, -a, -um

changeable

torris

unchangeable

torulosus, -a, -um

changeable

transfuga

unchangeable

transversalis, -is, -e

changeable

transversus, -a, -um

changeable

tremulus, -a, -um

changeable

tribulum

unchangeable

tribulus

unchangeable

trigrammus, -a, -um

changeable

trilaterus, -a, -um

changeable

triquetrus, -a, -um

changeable

tristis, -is, -e

changeable

tritonis

unchangeable

trivius, -a, -um

changeable

truncatus, -a, -um

changeable

tuberculatus, -a, -um

changeable

bituberculatus, quadrituberculatus, octotuberculatus, etc.

tuberum

unchangeable

tubicola

unchangeable

tulipa

unchangeable

turcicus, -a, -um

changeable

tyndarus

unchangeable

typhlus

unchangeable

[top]

umbilicalis, -is, -e

changeable

umbilicus

unchangeable

umbra

unchangeable

umbratus, -a, -um

changeable

uncia

unchangeable

undatus, -a, -um

changeable

undosus, -a, -um

changeable

undulatus, -a, -um

changeable

ungulatus, -a, -um

changeable

ursus

unchangeable

[top]

vacuus, -a, -um

changeable

vagabundus, -a, -um

changeable

vagus, -a, -um

changeable

valgus, -a, -um

changeable

variabilis, -is, -e

changeable

varicosus, -a, -um

changeable

variegatus, -a, -um

changeable

variolaris

unchangeable

variolosus, -a, -um

changeable

varius, -a, -um

changeable

velitaris, -is, -e

changeable

velleda

unchangeable

velutinus, -a, -um

changeable

venosus, -a, -um

changeable

ventralis, -is, -e

changeable

ventricosus, -a, -um

changeable

ventris

unchangeable

venustus, -a, -um

changeable

invenustus, etc.

vermicularis, -is, -e

changeable

vermiculatus, -a, -um

changeable

vernalis, -is, -e

changeable

verna

unchangeable

vernum

unchangeable

vernus

unchangeable

versicolorius, -a, -um

changeable

versipellis, -is, -e

changeable

verticalis, -is, -e

changeable

vespertinus, -a, -um

changeable

vestitus, -a, -um

changeable

vetulus, -a, -um

changeable

viaticus, -a, -um

changeable

vicia

unchangeable

viduatus, -a, -um

changeable

villica, -co, -cus

changeable

villosus, -a, -um

changeable

viminalis

unchangeable

violaceus, -a, -um

changeable

virgatus, -a, -um

changeable

virginianus, -a, -um

changeable

virgula

unchangeable

viridis, -is, -e

changeable

viridulatus, -a, -um

changeable

viridulus, -a, -um

changeable

vitellinus, -a, -um

changeable

vitis

unchangeable

vitreus, -a, -um

changeable

vittatus, -a, -um

changeable

bivittatus, trivittatus, albovittatus, etc.

vitula

unchangeable

vitulus

unchangeable

vivparus, -a, -um

changeable

volva

unchangeable

vorus, -a, -um

changeable

carnivorus, omnivorus, etc.

vulgaris, -is, -e

changeable

vulneratus, -a, -um

changeable

vulpecula

unchangeable

vulpinus, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

zebra

unchangeable

zelima

unchangeable

zenobia

unchangeable

zerta

unchangeable

zizyphinus

unchangeable

zonarius, -a, -um

changeable

[top]

 

 

How to recognize a Latin adjective

It is not easy to distinguish a Latin adjective from a Latin noun. To see if a name is an adjective or not, it is necessary to consult a Latin standard dictionary. And make sure that your dictionary is not too small. It is practically not possible to feed a computer program to distinguish nouns and adjectives. Some words can be both, only the context in the original source decides.

You can also consult Sherborn's Index Animalium, to see if changed versions of the same name exist. But Sherborn made many mistakes, or copied incorrectly formed names from original sources, and is not reliable. The same applies to AnimalBase or other sources - many zoologists established incorrect names, which must stand.
Examples:
faber is usually a noun, glaber is an adjective. If a zoologist established a name fabra, this must stand, faber can also be an adjective.
fiber is a noun, liber is an adjective.
zebra is a noun, glabra is an adjective.
frater is a noun, ater is an adjective.

Nouns with adjectival endings become adjectives: -ana, -aria, -ata, -ella, -iensis, -ina, -osa.
Examples:
fiberata, fibulata, brasiliensis, migratoria, riedeliana, victorina,
victoriana, victoriensis.

Names ending in -icola are usually nouns.

Sometimes it is very difficult to decide whether a name is an adjective or not. Geographical names are not contained in dictionaries, for these there  is no help at all. In living languages you ask a native speaker to solve such problems.
Examples:

Latin nouns are not changed to agree in gender with that of the genus. A substantival specific name describing a female animal is not changed to its male component if combined with a masculine genus.
Examples:

How to change the Latin adjective

Some Latin words can be adjectives and nouns at the same time. If the author did not treat such a name as an adjective, it must be treated as a noun (Art. 31.2.2).
This concerns words ending in -ifer/-ifera/-iferum and -iger/-igera/-igerum. For this determination it is necessary to know Latin quite well. I do not know a case where the original name was treated as an adjective. A name nanum is certainly an adjective, but nana or nanus could also be nouns. The same applies to pergrinus, peregrina, peregrinum. monacha and monachus seem to be "pure" nouns, but this might depend from the size of your dictionary.
The resulting problem is that in many cases Art. 31.2.2 is not followed because most authors are not sufficiently skilled in Latin.
Examples:

In zoological Latin the three genders feminine (58 %), masculine (38 %) and neuter (4 %) are not evenly distributed in the language, neuter is very rare. When Latin was spread to other parts of Italy, to S France, Catalonia, central Spain, Portugal, Galicia, N France and Romania, the neuter gender was lost, probably because people forgot how to apply the correct declinations, and merged usually with masculine. In scientific zoology we have the same trend, not many taxonomists know the correct declinations for the neuter gender.

Declination of adjectives in the nominative singular

It is necessary to consult a standard Latin dictionary to know the form of declination of an adjective ending in -er. There are currently no good online Latin dictionaries where the solution could be found reliably. It is not possible to get this information automatically, to feed a computer program with such information.
Here I give some relatively frequent examples of adjectival names, only in the nominative singular. If a name was established in another case, it is necessary to consult a complete Latin grammar collection to learn which form of which of the 5 cases singular or plural could apply for the adjective.
Example:
The name pavidam, established in the accusative singular in the genus Musca (Diptera), must be pavida in the nominative singular.

The sorting in such lists is always masculine - feminine - neuter.

-us, -a, -um. Adjectives ending in -us. Some 60 % of all zoological names are adjectives in this form.
Examples:
albus, alba, album
signatus, signata, signatum
migratorius, migratoria, migratorium
pavidus, pavida, pavidum
gibberulus, gibberula, gibberulum
bicolorus, bicolora, bicolorus
(but not: bicolor)

-er, -ra, -rum. Adjectives ending in -er with e not contained in the word
stem. 0.5-1 % of the zoological names.
Examples:
niger, nigra, nigrum
ater, atra, atrum
pulcher, pulchra, pulchrum

More: afer, cafer, caffer, dexter, glaber, ruber, scaber, teucer

-er, -era, -erum. Adjectives ending in -er with e contained in the word
stem. Only few names.
Examples:
asper, aspera, asperum
gibber, gibbera, gibberum
tener, tenera, tenerum
liber, libera, liberum
spinifer, spinifera, spiniferum
cordiger, cordigera, cordigerum

More with ending -ifer (but caution: usually these are nouns!):
anatifer, anguillifer, atomifer, bulbifer, conifer,
costulifer, crucifer, dentifer, discifer, ensifer, furcifer, glandifer,
globulifer, grandifer, granifer, lamellifer, lancifer, ovifer, prolifer, punctifer,
setifer, signifer, speculifer, spinifer, stellifer, tubifer, velifer

Not: lucifer
More with ending -iger (but caution: usually these are nouns!):
annulliger, armiger, claviger, corniger, disciger,
flammiger, furciger, guttiger, palliger, plumiger, punctiger, scutiger,
serriger, setiger, urniger, vittiger

-er, -ris, -re. Adjectives ending in -er with e not contained in the word
stem and 3 endings. Only very few names.
Examples:
acer, acris, acre
More: alacer, macer, procer, trinacer

-er, -eris, -ere. Adjectives ending in -er with e contained in the word
stem and 3 endings. Perhaps only one name in zoology.
Examples:
celer, celeris, celere
Not: aceris, anseris, asteris, cytheris, glycimeris, hydrochaeris, iberis,
moeris, papaveris, passeris, sileris, veris

-is, -is, -e. Adjectives ending in -is with 2 endings. Some 10 % of all zoological names are adjectives in this form.
This is one of the major error sources because zoologists usually do not know that these words must be changed when combined with genera of neuter gender. It is also very difficult to see if such a name is a noun or an adjective.
Examples:
campestris, campestris, campestre
brasiliensis, brasiliensis, brasiliense
capensis, capensis, capense
apiformis, apiformis, apiforme
mollis, mollis, molle
laevis, laevis, laeve
rudis, rudis, rude
tenuis, tenuis, tenue

More: abdominalis, acicularis, aequinoctialis, affinis, agilis, agrestis,
alpestris, angularis, annularis, aquatilis, australis, autumnalis,
borealis, brevis, campestris, centralis, ciliaris, claustralis, collaris,
communis, difficilis, dorsalis, edulis, -ensis, equestris, exilis,
fascicularis, fenestralis, fluviatilis, fontinalis, -formis, fossilis,
fragilis, glacialis, gracilis, grandis, gravis, haemorrhoidalis,
hortensis, humeralis, imperialis, insularis, lacustris, laevis, lateralis,
lenticularis, linearis, littoralis, lunaris, mammillaris, marginalis,
meridionalis, militaris, mirabilis, mollis, muralis, navalis, nemoralis,
nivalis, nobilis, occidentalis, officinalis, opercularis, orbicularis,
orientalis, ovalis, palustris, pluvialis, pratensis, regularis, rivularis,
rudis, rupestris, saxatilis, scalaris, senilis, septentrionalis, similis,
stabilis, stagnalis, stellaris, sylvestris, tenuis, terrestris,
transversalis, tristis, variabilis, ventralis, vermicularis, vernalis,
viridis, vulgaris

Not: abietis, adonis, alexis, -cornis, -collis, calidris, cardinalis, dentalis, fascialis, -labris, ocellaris, -rostris, salicis, -spiralis, -ventris
Still unclear to me:
meleager, meleagris, meleagris
secale, secalis

-x and -ns. Adjectives with only one ending. These are not changed and behave like nouns. 3 % of the zoological names have these endings.
Examples (could also be nouns, does not matter, it is not necessary to
know that):
atrox, biplex, carnifex, dendex, fallax, felix, praecox, senex, velox
abundans, albescens, ascendens, caerulans, caeulescens, canescens,
distans, elegans, flavescens, fulvescens, nigricans, nitens, pallens,
pubescens, ringens, rufescens, sapiens, virens, volans

-ior, -ior, -ius. Adjectives in the comparative form, with two endings. Only 0.3 % of the zoological names. The most important are maior and minor, only few know that in neuter gender they must turn to maius and minus.
Examples:
major, major, majus
maior, maior, maius
minor, minor, minus

minutior, minutior, minutius
depressior, depressior, depressius
grandior, grandior, grandius
angustior, angustior, angustius
More: arctior, convexior, crassior, distinctior, elatior, gracilior,
junior, laevior, latior, obscurior, pallidior, scabrior, solidior, tenuior

Incorrect gender application in the original description

Incorrect application of gender in the original description (adjectival name of species did not agree in gender with the genus) should be maintained for citing the original combination. But it is corrected if a name is actually used for a taxon in a current classification, regardless if in the same or in another genus.
Examples:

Some authors forced the specific names to agree in gender with the subgenus and not with the genus. This is no problem. Today the species must agree in gender with the genus. The subgenus can have a different gender.
Examples: