Albicaudatus

Albicaudatus is a Latin binomial epithet that translates to "white-tailed". This descriptive term has been applied to various species across different taxonomic groups, often to distinguish individuals with a conspicuously white tail from others of the same or related species that do not possess this characteristic.

In ornithology, the term "albicaudatus" has been used for a subspecies of the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos albicaudatus. This subspecies, found in parts of Africa, is characterized by its white tail. Similarly, in mammalogy, the epithet has appeared in scientific names of rodents and other mammals where a white tail is a defining feature. For example, certain species or subspecies of mice and rats might be designated with albicaudatus if their caudal plumage is predominantly white. The specific taxonomic usage can vary, and older classifications might use the term where modern taxonomy may have revised the classification or assigned a different epithet. Researchers and taxonomists use such descriptive names to aid in identification and classification based on observable morphological traits. The presence of a white tail can serve various ecological functions, including communication, species recognition, or as a signal during courtship displays, depending on the animal.