illinoinensis

Illinoinensis is a Latinized species epithet used in biological nomenclature to denote origin or association with the U.S. state of Illinois. It is not a genus or a standalone taxon, but rather a descriptor that may appear as the second part of a binomial name in various organisms.

Etymology and form

The epithet illinoinensis derives from the place name Illinois plus the Latin suffix -ensis, meaning “from Illinois” or “of Illinois.” The spelling illinoinensis is a less common orthographic variant; more frequently used forms in taxonomic practice are illinoiensis or illinoisensis. As with other geographic epithets, illinoinensis serves to indicate a geographic link rather than a distinctive biological trait.

Taxonomic usage

As a geographic descriptor, illinoinensis can appear in binomial names across different groups, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, when a taxonomist assigns a species name based on a connection to Illinois. It does not constitute a taxon by itself and does not imply any particular morphology, ecology, or phylogeny beyond the origin associated with the epithet. The exact genus with which illinoinensis is combined varies, and there is no single universal taxon identified by this word alone.

Notes and considerations

Because spelling variants exist and because geographic epithets are relatively common in taxonomic naming, researchers should verify the currently accepted name in authoritative databases (such as ITIS, the Catalogue of Life, or taxon-specific repertoires) to confirm validity and authorship. The use of illinoinensis may be historically limited or superseded by more standard forms like illinoisensis or illinoiensis in contemporary nomenclature.

See also

Illinois; illinoisensis; illinoiensis; geographic epithets in taxonomy.