Gurneyae

Gurneyae is a specific epithet used in the scientific names of various organisms to honor a person with the surname Gurney. It is not a standalone taxon; rather, it forms part of a binomial name (the genus plus the species epithet) that identifies a particular species.

Etymology and usage: In zoological and botanical nomenclature, gurneyae is a Latinized feminine genitive form meaning “of Gurney,” typically indicating that the honoree is a woman with the surname Gurney. If the honoree were a man, the corresponding epithet would usually take a masculine form such as gurneyi; for multiple honorees, forms like gurneyorum may be used. The exact form is chosen by the author who first describes the species and is governed by the relevant code of nomenclature.

Taxonomic context: The epithet gurneyae can appear across a wide range of taxa, including animals, plants, and other organisms, wherever the describer chose to commemorate someone named Gurney. Its use is subject to the rules of Latin grammar and the codes of nomenclature that regulate how new species are named, such as the ICZN for animals and the ICN for plants, fungi, and algae. The genus name is capitalized and the epithet is lowercase; in formal writing, the full binomial name is typically italicized.

Notes: As with all person-based epithets, the specific individual honored by gurneyae is only identifiable from the original publication describing the species. The epithet itself does not designate a taxon beyond its role as part of a species name. Gurneyae is one of many Latinized epithets used to recognize contributors or associates in the scientific community.