marmorata

Marmorata is a Latin epithet used in biological nomenclature to denote a marbled or mottled pattern on a variety of organisms. The term comes from Latin marmoreus or marmoratus, meaning marble-like, and is commonly employed as an adjective in species names to describe coloration, markings, or texture.

In taxonomy, marmorata is not a taxonomic rank but a descriptive species epithet. It appears across diverse groups, including animals and plants, to signal marbled or variegated appearance. The use of this epithet reflects a descriptive approach to naming, rather than a statement about phylogeny or ecology.

A well-known example is Tarentola marmorata, the marbled gecko, a lizard species found in parts of the Mediterranean region. In other taxa, researchers may apply marmorata to indicate similar marbled patterns on shells, leaves, petals, wings, or other surfaces, often varying in intensity with age, geography, or environmental conditions.

Because marmorata is a descriptive epithet rather than a defined lineage, its appearance can range widely between species and populations. The term is frequently encountered in taxonomic literature, field guides, and collections to assist in quick visual identification and descriptive taxonomy.

See also: marmoreus, marmoratus, marmorated, marmoreal.