loihiensis

Loihiensis is a suffix used in scientific nomenclature, particularly in botany and zoology, to denote a species or group that is named in honor of or associated with Loihi. Loihi is a seamount and active volcanic complex located southeast of the Island of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands. It is the youngest volcano in the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain and is expected to eventually form a new island.

When a scientific name includes the descriptor "loihiensis," it signifies a connection to this specific geological feature. This connection can be in several forms. Firstly, a species might be discovered living in the vicinity of Loihi, such as on its slopes or in the surrounding waters. Alternatively, the species may have been named by a scientist whose work or research is prominently linked to Loihi. Less commonly, it might refer to a hypothetical organism or a geological formation found on Loihi itself, though this usage is rarer for species names.

For example, scientific names like *Perkinsiella loihiensis* (a species of leafhopper) or *Cypraea loihiensis* (a species of cowrie) indicate that these organisms are either found at or have some historical or descriptive link to the Loihi seamount. The use of "loihiensis" serves as a precise identifier within the vast system of biological classification, highlighting a specific geographical or scientific context for the named entity.