immaculatus

Immaculatus is a Latin adjective meaning spotless or unspotted. In biological nomenclature it commonly appears as a specific epithet in the binomial names of many species across plants, animals, and fungi. The epithet is selected by the describing taxonomist and may reference a noticeable trait, typically related to coloration or markings, but the exact meaning varies from species to species.

Etymology and grammatical form: the word derives from in- (not) and macula (spot), with the adjectival ending -atus. The masculine form is immaculatus, while feminine and neuter forms are immaculata and immaculatum, respectively, to agree with the gender of the genus.

Usage in taxonomy: Latin adjectives used as epithets must agree in gender with the genus name, so immaculatus appears in masculine genera, and immaculata or immaculatum may be used for feminine or neuter genera. Because of this agreement, immaculatus does not designate a single universal trait across all taxa; its meaning is specific to each species and depends on the original description and the morphology of the organism.

General interpretation: the epithet typically connotes a lack of markings, blemishes, or other conspicuous features, or more broadly a sense of purity or cleanliness in appearance. However, the actual characteristic signified can vary, and in some cases may be historical or descriptive rather than diagnostic.

See also: Latin in taxonomic naming, list of Latin and Greek epithets used in biology.