gouldii

Gouldii is a taxonomic epithet used in binomial nomenclature to honor John Gould, a 19th-century English naturalist and illustrator whose work significantly advanced the documentation of Australian fauna and flora. The epithet is a Latin genitive form derived from Gould, with the -ii suffix signaling a male honoree. It appears across many species of animals and plants, illustrating the widespread practice of commemorating Gould in taxonomy.

One well-known example is Varanus gouldii, Gould's monitor, a large lizard native to northern Australia. This species name highlights how Gould's name has been incorporated into scientific nomenclature to recognize his contributions to natural history.

Across both zoological and botanical naming, the epithet gouldii has been broadly used, reflecting the historical practice of honoring scientists and contributors to the field. The form remains a common male-honorific epithet in many taxa, underscoring Gould’s lasting influence on the study and cataloging of biodiversity.