ceylonensis

ceylonensis is a Latinized species epithet used in the scientific names of organisms to indicate origin from Sri Lanka, the country formerly known as Ceylon. In binomial nomenclature, ceylonensis follows the genus name and functions as an adjectival descriptor meaning “from Ceylon.” The form is typically ceylonensis for masculine or feminine genera, while the neuter form ceylonense may be used to agree with a neuter genus, in accordance with Latin gender agreement rules.

The epithet is widely used across taxonomic groups, including both animals and plants, and is not a taxon by itself. It usually denotes that the species was first described from Sri Lanka or that its natural distribution is centered on the island. As with other geographic epithets, ceylonensis can appear in various lineages and does not imply a particular higher-level relationship beyond shared origin.

In nomenclatural practice, if a species named ceylonensis is moved to another genus, the epithet generally remains the same unless gender adjustment is required by the grammar of the new genus. The epithet remains part of the species name as long as the species concept is retained.

See also: Sri Lanka (Ceylon), geographic epithets in taxonomy, binomial nomenclature.