Generas

Generas is not a standard term in modern biology. In taxonomy, the rank used for grouping closely related species is called a genus, and the conventional plural form is genera. The form generas appears only as a mistaken plural or in nonstandard usages and is not recognized in contemporary zoological or botanical nomenclature.

Etymology and usage. The word genus comes from Latin, and its correct plural in scientific writing is genera. Latin declension indeed yields a plural form that is written as genera in most scientific contexts. In formal nomenclature, genera are capitalized and used as the first part of a binomial species name (for example, Homo sapiens). The genus umbrella groups species that share key characteristics, and genera are further organized into higher ranks such as families, orders, and classes.

Examples and relationships. The genus Panthera includes species such as Panthera leo (lion) and Panthera tigris (tiger). The genus Escherichia includes Escherichia coli. Genera are distinct from species and from higher taxa, but species within a genus typically share evolutionary traits and are more closely related to each other than to species in other genera.

Language notes. In English and many languages that borrow Latin taxonomy, the correct plural is genera. The form generas may be encountered as a misspelling or in non-scientific texts, but it is not the accepted plural in formal taxonomy.

See also. Taxonomy, binomial nomenclature, Latin grammar, zoological nomenclature, botanical nomenclature.