applicatum

Applicatum is a Latin neuter adjective used as a species epithet in biological nomenclature. It derives from the verb applicare, meaning “to apply” or “to put on,” with the participial form applicatus (masculine), applicata (feminine), and applicatum (neuter). In a binomial name, the ending of the epithet agrees with the gender of the genus, so a neuter genus would typically pair with applicatum.

In taxonomy, applicatum appears across diverse groups, including plants, animals, and fungi. The exact meaning of the epithet is determined by the original description and context provided by the author who coined the name. As a descriptive Latin adjective, applicatum often conveys that some feature is applied, attached, externally observed, or otherwise associated with the organism, but the interpretation is not fixed and varies with the taxon and historical context.

Usage guidance: like other Latin epithets, applicatum is not a standalone term but part of a formal scientific name. Its significance depends on the morphological or ecological details highlighted in the publication that established the name. Because epithets can be historically nuanced, researchers consult the type description and subsequent taxonomic literature to understand the intended meaning for a given name.

See also: binomial nomenclature, species epithet, Latin in scientific naming, ICZN (International Code of Zoological Nomenclature), International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants.

Note: The term is primarily a linguistic and nomenclatural descriptor rather than a concept with a unified, universal meaning beyond its linguistic roots.