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.)
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 |
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. |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
zebra |
unchangeable |
|
---|---|---|
zelima |
unchangeable |
|
zenobia |
unchangeable |
|
zerta |
unchangeable |
|
zizyphinus |
unchangeable |
|
zonarius, -a, -um |
changeable |
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: