lineolata

Lineolata is a Latin-derived species epithet used in the scientific names of various organisms. It is not a taxon in itself; rather, it appears as the second part of a binomial name in multiple genera to indicate a striped or lined appearance.

The epithet lineolata derives from lineola, meaning a small line, with the adjectival suffix -ata, yielding roughly “provided with small lines.” This etymology reflects a common practice in taxonomy of selecting epithets to describe visible traits.

Usage and scope: Lineolata is a relatively common epithet across diverse groups, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Because it occurs across different genera, species bearing the name lineolata are not necessarily closely related; they simply share a descriptive name.

Characterization and interpretation: The trait suggested by lineolata is typically a pattern of lines or linear markings. In different lineages, this may refer to leaf venation, wing patterns, shell markings, surface striations, or other linear features. The exact diagnostic characteristics, however, are determined within the context of each species’ taxonomic description and are not implied to be the same across all lineolata-bearing taxa.

Notes: As with many Latin epithets, lineolata may be used by taxonomists independently in different genera, leading to multiple, unrelated species that share the same epithet. See also binomial nomenclature and the role of descriptive Latin adjectives in species naming.