israelensis

Israelensis is a Latinized species epithet used in the scientific names of organisms to indicate origin in or association with Israel. The epithet is derived from the Latin name for the region and the suffix -ensis, which conveys a sense of “from” or “belonging to.” In binomial nomenclature, israelensis functions as the second, or specific, part of the scientific name, following the genus name.

Usage and scope: The epithet israelensis appears across diverse taxonomic groups, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. It does not denote a natural grouping or taxonomic rank by itself; rather, it signals geographic provenance or a discovery locality for the species described. The same epithet can occur in many unrelated genera, reflecting geographic rather than evolutionary relationships.

Nomenclatural notes: Israelensis follows the naming conventions established by the codes of nomenclature governing different organism groups—the ICZN for animals and the ICN for plants, algae, and fungi. In formal writing, the full binomial is typically italicized, with israelensis rendered in lowercase. The epithet is generally treated as a Latin adjective, and its form may align with the genus gender according to established Latin grammar rules. If two species within the same genus were to bear the same epithet, nomenclatural rules require adjustment to avoid homonymy.

Geographic and historical context: Epithets like israelensis often reflect the location of the type specimen or the region emphasized by the describing authors, commonly associated with collections, surveys, or biodiversity studies conducted in Israel. Over time, taxonomic revisions may relocate species to different genera, while the epithet itself often remains as a historical record of origin.