melanophris

Melanophris is a taxonomic genus name that has appeared in scientific literature to refer to more than one lineage of organisms. Because it is not consistently used as a current, valid genus across sources, its precise application is ambiguous and depends on the taxonomic framework consulted. In zoological and botanical nomenclature, genus names are supposed to be tied to a formal description and a type specimen. In some cases where Melanophris was proposed, subsequent studies have reclassified the organisms under different genera, or have treated Melanophris as a junior synonym. As a result, Melanophris is generally regarded as an unsettled or historical name rather than a standing, recognized genus in contemporary databases.

The name is rarely used in recent primary literature and is not assigned to a widely accepted family or higher taxon in current checklists. Researchers encountering Melanophris should verify its status in up-to-date taxonomic databases and the original description to avoid misinterpretation and to determine whether the term functions as a synonym, a misapplied name, or a valid genus in a niche or historical context.

See also: taxonomy, biological nomenclature, synonyms in taxonomy.