imitabilis

Imitabilis is a Latin adjective meaning "imitable" or "able to imitate." In biological nomenclature, imitabilis is used as a specific epithet—part of a two-part scientific name of a species—to signify that the species bears resemblance to another species or is capable of mimicking aspects of another organism. The term derives from Latin imitari "to imitate," with the suffix -abilis indicating capability.

In practice, the epithet imitabilis is chosen by taxonomists to reflect a notable trait linked to imitation or mimicry. For example, a species described as Genus imitabilis would be interpreted as a species whose appearance or behavior resembles that of another taxon, or perhaps a case of camouflage or mimicry. It is important to note that imitabilis itself is not a taxon; it is an epithet used within binomials, and its meaning is context-dependent on the genus and described traits.

Nomenclature notes: in zoological and botanical codes, the epithet is lowercase and typically italicized along with the genus; it remains unchanged in gender agreement, though some forms may adjust to genus gender. The epithet commonly appears in taxonomic descriptions and discussions of mimicry, convergent evolution, or resemblance among organisms.

See also: mimicry; mimic species; binomial nomenclature; Latin adjectives in species names.