multidentata

Multidentata is a Latin-derived species epithet used in biological nomenclature. The term combines multi- meaning many with dentata (toothed), and in taxonomic use it denotes a character or feature described as having many tooth-like projections. The feminine form multidentata is used when the generic name is feminine, while masculine multidentatus and neuter multidentatum are used to match other grammatical genders of genera.

In taxonomy, multidentata is not a standalone taxon but a descriptor attached to a species name within a genus. It signals a differentiating morphological trait rather than a close evolutionary relationship. The epithet can refer to various structures depending on the organism, such as a leaf margin with numerous teeth in plants, dentition along an opening or edge in mollusks, or tooth-like projections on mouthparts or other structures in invertebrates and some vertebrates. Because it describes a trait rather than a lineage, the same epithet can appear in many unrelated genera.

Because epithets are reused across taxa, there are multiple species across plants and animals that bear the epithet multidentata. The specific nature of the “many teeth” feature is historically tied to the taxonomist’s observation at the time of description and may vary from one species to another. The usage of multidentata, like other epithets, follows the rules of the relevant nomenclatural codes, including agreement in gender with the genus name.

See also: Latin binomial nomenclature; taxonomic epithets; morphological descriptors in taxonomy.