formosana

Formosana is a Latin adjectival form used in the scientific naming of organisms to indicate a connection with Formosa, the historical name for Taiwan. The name Formosa itself comes from Portuguese Formosa, meaning “beautiful island.” In binomial nomenclature, formosana is the feminine singular epithet; it agrees with the gender of the genus. Corresponding masculine and neuter forms are formosanus and formosanum, respectively.

The epithet formosana is typically applied to species that were discovered in Taiwan or described by researchers working there, serving as a geographic indicator within the scientific name without altering the genus. It is encountered primarily in botanical and zoological taxa and functions as part of a species’ formal designation rather than as a stand-alone taxon.

In broader contexts, Formosa is still used in historical and cultural discussions to refer to Taiwan, and Formosan remains the common English adjective and demonym related to Taiwan. The formosana variant, however, appears predominantly within the conventions of Latin nomenclature rather than in general usage.

See also

Formosa

Formosan languages

Taxonomic nomenclature

Notes

Formosana, like other geographic epithets, helps convey information about a species’ locality but does not convey comprehensive documentation of its distribution or ecology. Researchers may provide additional details in descriptive texts, type descriptions, and distribution notes accompanying the formal name.