atsoni

Atsoni is a species epithet used in biological nomenclature. It is not a standalone taxon; rather, it is the second part of a binomial name that appears across various, unrelated organisms. The epithet typically honors a person with the surname Atson, following the convention of Latinizing a name to form a specific epithet.

Etymology and formation: In zoological and botanical naming, the epithet atsoni is usually Latinized with a masculine ending, -i, indicating a male honoree. If a different gender is honored, the ending can vary (for example, -ae for a female honoree). The genus name is always capitalized, while the species epithet is not, and the full binomial is italicized in formal writing. The author citation and year may be appended to indicate who described the species and when.

Usage and scope: The epithet atsoni appears in multiple taxa and across different kingdoms, including animals and plants. Because it is a common form of eponym, there are many distinct species with this epithet that share no biological relation beyond their names. Identifying a specific atsoni requires the full genus name and, often, the author citation.

Notes: Eponymy is a long-standing practice in taxonomy, reflecting the contributions or associations of individuals with the organism described. When encountering atsoni, it is essential to refer to the complete binomial and its taxonomic context to determine the organism in question. See also: eponymy in taxonomy, Latinization of proper names.