kempii

kempii is a Latinized patronym used in scientific naming to honor individuals with surnames such as Kemp or Kemppi. In the binomial system, a species name consists of a genus followed by a specific epithet, and kempii serves as that epithet to indicate a tribute to the honoree. The form follows common Latinization practices for patronyms: masculine honorees are typically rendered with the genitive suffix -i or -ii, and the exact spelling can vary by taxonomic group and language. As a result, kempii appears in multiple, unrelated species across different kingdoms, each named independently to recognize a different person.

In taxonomy, the epithet kempii conveys no information about the organism’s biology or ecology; it simply commemorates a contributor, collector, or collaborator associated with the species’ discovery or study. Because many distinct individuals may be honored with similarly formed epithets, there is no single organism or group universally associated with the term kempii.

Usage notes emphasize that patronyms are a long-standing tradition in naming, intended to acknowledge contributions to science, exploration, or collection efforts. When encountered in a reference, kempii is part of the species’ formal name and should be interpreted within the full taxonomic context (genus, author citation, jurisdiction) rather than as a descriptor of the organism itself.

See also: Latin binomial nomenclature; patronym; taxonomic naming conventions.