fleckeri

Fleckeri is a Latinized specific epithet used in biological nomenclature to honor individuals with the surname Flecker or Fleck. It is not a standalone taxon but part of the scientific name of a species, appearing after the genus in a binomial name.

In zoological and botanical naming, the epithet fleckeri is formed as a patronym. It is typically written in lower case and is often treated as masculine, with the exact form varying depending on the gender of the honoree and the rules of Latin grammar. The form -i commonly indicates a male honoree, while -ae or -orum may be used in other contexts or for multiple honorees. The specific choice is determined by the original describer of the species.

The epithet fleckeri is not unique to a single organism. It has been used across diverse groups to name different species in various genera. Because the epithet is attached to a genus, many unrelated species in different lineages can share the same fleckeri epithet without implying any close relationship between them.

Usage and citation: When listed in taxonomic records, fleckeri appears as the second part of the binomial name (genus fleckeri), with the authority and year often provided to indicate who described the species and when. This practice helps acknowledge contributors to science while maintaining a standardized, hierarchical naming system.

See also: Taxonomic nomenclature, patronyms in biology, species epithet.