affinis

Affinis is a Latin adjective meaning “related to” or “connected with,” and it is widely used in scientific naming to convey similarity or affinity. In taxonomy, affinis most often appears as the species epithet (the second part of a binomial name) rather than as a genus name. The epithet affinis is typically written in lowercase and must agree in gender with the genus name.

In zoological and botanical nomenclature, the use of affinis signals that the described organism bears some resemblance to another species or is considered closely allied to it. However, it does not provide a formal measure of evolutionary relatedness. Taxonomic revisions, new data, and changes in classification can alter what is meant by an “affinis” relationship, so the epithet reflects historical and descriptive context rather than a definitive phylogeny.

The epithet affinis appears across a wide range of taxa, including insects, plants, and marine invertebrates, reflecting a common practice of naming by describers who noted likeness to a previously named species. Because it is a descriptive term rather than a technical rank, multiple, unrelated species in different genera may bear affinis as their epithet.

In summary, affinis is a traditional Latin term used in scientific names to indicate similarity or affinity with another taxon. Its use emphasizes resemblance rather than a guaranteed, formal biological relationship, and it remains a commonly encountered epithet in taxonomic literature.