Catalogorum

Catalogorum is a Latin genitive plural form derived from catalogus, meaning “of the catalogs” or “belonging to the catalog.” In taxonomic nomenclature, the ending -orum is used in Latin epithet formations to form masculine or mixed-gender names indicating association with a group or collection, often translating to “of the catalog” or “from the catalogs.” The term itself is not a taxonomic unit, nor a standard name for a genus, but rather a suffix that may appear in species epithets in historical or scholarly works.

The use of Latin in biology dates to the Linnaean system, and archaic or scholarly publications might have assigned epithets such as catalogorum to denote specimens listed in catalogues or described in catalog-based works. In modern practice, epithet choice aims for clarity, Latin grammar, and non-duplication; many species epithets reflect collectors, locations, distinctive traits, or institutional associations rather than generic phrases like catalogorum.

Examples are scarce and often speculative; catalogorum commonly appears in discussions of nomenclatural practices rather than as a well-established, singular taxon. In literature beyond biology, catalogorum may appear in historical texts as a general Latin phrase meaning “of the catalogs” or used poetically to evoke cataloging or archival themes.

If encountered, catalogorum should be interpreted in its taxonomic or literary context, and one should consult the original publication or authority to determine whether it functions as an epithet, a descriptive term, or a figurative usage.