Altithorax

Altithorax is a Latin-derived scientific name that has appeared in biological classification as a genus designation in various historical contexts, particularly in paleontology. The name combines altus ("high" or "deep") and thorax, a reference to the thoracic region of an organism. In early taxonomic work, such names were often chosen to highlight a distinguishing feature of the fossils or the presumed biology of the organism.

Over time, several instances of the name Altithorax have been reassessed. Some uses were not ultimately upheld as valid genera and were later treated as synonyms of other, better-established taxa, while others remain poorly defined or of uncertain identity (nomina dubia). As a result, there is no single, widely accepted modern genus universally recognized simply as Altithorax.

Today, the taxonomic status of any organism once assigned to Altithorax depends on the group and the publication. Researchers consulting current taxonomic databases, such as the Paleobiology Database or the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, should verify whether Altithorax is considered a valid genus or a historical synonym in a given lineage.

Altithorax thus serves as an example of how genus names can move through taxonomic revisions, reflecting changes in interpretation of fossils and the rules of nomenclature. See also taxonomy, nomenclature, paleontology.