carbonaria

Carbonaria is a Latin-derived specific epithet used in the scientific names of many organisms. In binomial nomenclature, carbonaria is the second part of a species name and is typically descriptive, indicating a coal-black or charcoal-like appearance in the organism. The root is Latin carbonarius, meaning coal or charcoal. The feminine form carbonaria agrees with feminine genus names; masculine and neuter forms such as carbonarius and carbonarium are used with other genera.

Because it is a descriptive epithet rather than a taxonomic designation, carbonaria appears across a wide range of taxa, including plants, insects, birds, and fungi. A species bearing the epithet often exhibits dark pigmentation of wings, seeds, fur, or other structures, or a trait that reminded the author of coal or charcoal at the time of naming. The exact rationale for the epithet can vary between species and authors.

Usage notes: The epithet carbonaria does not imply any close relationship among all species that share it. Colors and traits can vary within and between groups, and the trait signaled by the epithet may be subtle or vestigial in some descendants. As with other descriptive epithets, understanding the original description and the context in which the name was given is important for accurate interpretation.

See also: Latin binomial nomenclature; taxonomic epithets.