Molinae

Molinae is a Latin-derived epithet used in biological nomenclature to honor individuals with the surname Molina. It functions as a species epithet in zoological and botanical names and is not a taxon on its own. The form molinae represents the feminine genitive of Molina, indicating that the honoree was female. When the person honored is male, taxonomic authors typically use a different masculine form, tailored to the name and the conventions of the relevant code.

The usage of molinae follows the rules of Latin grammar as applied to patronyms in binomial nomenclature. In zoological nomenclature, as in botany, the epithet is attached to the genus name to form the full scientific name, with the epithet written in lowercase (e.g., Genus molinae). The exact form can vary depending on the naming author and the applicable code governing the group (the ICN for algae, fungi, and plants; the ICZN for animals).

Molinae does not denote a particular taxonomic group or rank by itself; rather, it is a naming convention used to acknowledge a person named Molina within a species’ scientific name. Its appearance indicates historical or collaborative ties of the author to the honoree, rather than any inherent biological characteristic.