coccinus

Coccinus is a Latin adjective used in biological nomenclature to indicate red or crimson coloration. It is not a stand-alone taxon; rather, it appears as a specific epithet within species names across plants, animals, and fungi. The masculine form is coccinus, with feminine coccina and neuter coccinum, reflecting standard Latin agreement with the genus name.

In taxonomy, the epithet coccinus is typically chosen to reflect a notable red characteristic of the organism—such as red petals, red fruit, or red markings. Because it is an epithet rather than a taxonomic rank, it does not designate a single genus or species by itself, and there is no widely recognized group named “Coccinus” as a genus.

Grammatical usage is governed by the gender and number of the genus name. When applied, the epithet agrees in gender with the genus, and authors may adjust the ending accordingly (for example, coccinus for masculine genera, coccina for feminine, and coccinum for neuter). This reflects standard practices in botanical and zoological nomenclature.

In scholarly references, encountering coccinus typically signals a descriptive, color-based attribute rather than a formal taxon. It may appear in historical or descriptive names across a range of taxa, but it does not constitute a distinct taxonomic group on its own. See also related color-based epithets such as coccineus or coccidia-related terms for broader naming patterns.