Regalis

Regalis is a Latin adjective meaning royal or regal. In scientific naming, regalis is commonly used as a specific epithet in binomial nomenclature to describe a species and convey a sense of majesty or regal features.

In taxonomy, the epithet regalis appears across a range of taxa, including plants, animals, and fungi. It is not a standalone taxon; rather, it is the second part of a two-part scientific name that combines a genus with regalis. The epithet is written in lowercase and must agree in gender with the genus name.

The choice of regalis is made by the describer of the species and may reflect a visible trait deemed regal (such as a distinctive crest, coloration, or plumage), a cultural or historical association with royalty, or simply the describer’s impression of the organism’s appearance or significance. Because many lineages are named independently, the same epithet regalis can occur in unrelated genera, resulting in multiple, distinct species sharing the same epithet without implying close relationship.

Etymologically, regalis derives from the Latin regalis, itself from regalis regale, related to royalty and governance. In English scientific discourse, regalis is treated as a descriptive term within species names rather than as a genus or higher taxon.

See also: Latin in scientific naming, species epithet, binomial nomenclature.