obsoletus

Obsoletus is a Latin adjective used in scientific names of organisms. In taxonomy, it appears as part of a binomial or trinomial name (as an epithet) to designate a particular taxon at the species or subspecies level. The term derives from Latin obsoletus, meaning worn out, obsolete, or out of use.

The form has gendered variants: obsoletus (masculine), obsoleta (feminine), obsoletum (neuter). In zoological and botanical nomenclature, the epithet must agree in gender with the genus name.

As with many taxonomic epithets, the choice of obsoletus is determined by the describing author and carries no universal meaning beyond the label. It may reference an archaic trait, an old type specimen, or simply be a traditional or descriptive name adopted at the time of description.

Because Latin adjectives are declined to match the genus, the form used depends on the genus’ gender. The epithet does not imply current validity, extinction, or obsolescence of the taxon; it is primarily a naming convention rather than a judgment about the taxon’s status.

Obsoletus appears across various groups of animals and plants in different parts of the world. It is one of many historical or descriptive epithets used in taxonomic naming, illustrating how Latin forms remain embedded in scientific nomenclature.