hermanni

Hermanni is a Latinized specific epithet used in biological nomenclature. It is not a taxon by itself but a component of binomial or trinomial names, formed to honor a person named Hermann. In zoological and botanical names, hermanni is written in lowercase and combined with a genus name, e.g., Genus hermanni. The form hermanni is the genitive singular of the personal name Hermann, indicating "of Hermann".

Origins and usage: The practice of naming species after people is common in taxonomy. When a species is named after a man named Hermann, the epithet is often formed as hermanni to reflect Latin grammar. The same idea may yield similar epithets in other languages or with different endings (e.g., hermannii, hermannie, etc.) depending on the rules of the taxonomic code and the language tradition.

Scope: The epithet hermanni occurs across many groups, including animals, plants, and microorganisms. Because it is an epithet rather than a taxon, each instance refers to a different species within its own genus; multiple genera can have a species named hermanni.

Taxonomic notes: Names can be revised over time; a species with hermanni may be moved to another genus or renamed if taxonomic understanding changes. Authorship and year accompany the name in formal citations.

See also: Taxonomic naming conventions; Eponyms in biology; Hermann.