Artenname

Artenname is the term used in German to refer to the species name, the second part of a binomial name in biological classification. Together with the genus name, it uniquely identifies a species.

In Latinized scientific names, the genus name is capitalized and the species epithet (Artenname) is lowercase. The entire binomial is typically italicized in formal writing.

The nomenclature is governed by international codes: the ICZN for animals and the ICN for plants, fungi, and algae. An authority, such as Linnaeus, 1758, may follow the Artenname to indicate who described the species.

Examples include Homo sapiens, where Homo is the genus and sapiens is the Artenname. Changes in classification can create synonyms or reassignments while preserving the principle of priority.

In practice, the Artenname is subject to revision as new data arrive. Researchers reference type specimens (holotypes) to anchor the name to a physical example.

The term is widely used in biology and related fields; it emphasizes the importance of consistent naming for communication, data management, and biodiversity studies.