horikoshii

Horikoshii is a Latinized species epithet used in the scientific names of various organisms to honor a person bearing the surname Horikoshi or Horikoshi-related variants. It is not the name of a taxon on its own, but rather the second part of a binomial name that identifies a particular species within a genus.

Etymology and formation: In zoological and botanical nomenclature, patronymic epithets are formed by adding a Latin or Latinized suffix to the honoree’s name. The epithet horikoshii indicates that the species was named in honor of someone named Horikoshi. The exact suffix variation (-i, -ii, etc.) follows tradition of the respective code and the original language of the honoree's name.

Usage and examples: The epithet horikoshii has been used in the naming of species across several groups, including bacteria, fungi, and occasionally plants and animals. In each case, the original description typically includes an etymology note explicitly stating that the name honors Horikoshi or a family with that surname.

Notes: Because horikoshii is a patronymic epithet rather than a taxon, different genera can host species with this epithet. The term reflects taxonomic practice of recognizing contributors to science by naming new species after them. See also: Horikoshi, Latinization in biological nomenclature, patronymic taxon names.