caprae

Caprae is a Latin term used in biological nomenclature, meaning “of the goat.” It is the genitive singular form of capra, the word for goat, and is commonly used as a species epithet in binomial names to indicate that the organism is associated with goats, either by origin, habitat, or discovery.

One of the best-known examples is Staphylococcus caprae, a coagulase-negative bacterium that occurs on the skin and mucous membranes of goats and humans. It is generally part of the normal microflora of goats but can act as an opportunistic pathogen in humans, particularly in clinical settings involving implanted devices or immune compromise.

The epithet caprae appears in the scientific names of various organisms beyond this bacterium, reflecting its goat association. In zoological taxonomy, caprae aligns with goats more broadly; for example, the domestic goat is Capra aegagrus hircus, with the wild progenitor named Capra aegagrus. The use of caprae in names illustrates how Latin descriptors convey host or origin relationships within binomial nomenclature, rather than designating a single taxon.

Overall, caprae serves as a host- or origin-related descriptor in scientific naming, linking multiple species to goats. See also Capra (genus) and Capra aegagrus for related context on goats in taxonomy.