punctata

Punctata is a species epithet used in the scientific names of many organisms, meaning spotted or dotted in Latin. The word comes from punctatus, punctata, punctatum, derived from punctum, meaning a point or dot. In zoological and botanical nomenclature, punctata is a feminine form that agrees with feminine genus names, while punctatus and punctatum are used with masculine or neuter genera, respectively.

As an epithet, punctata typically indicates a characteristic pattern on the organism, such as a speckled or dotted appearance on leaves, petals, wings, or body segments. It is not a taxonomic unit in itself but a descriptor within a binomial (or trinomial) name, and many taxa across plants, fungi, and animals have species bearing this epithet.

Because Latin adjectives must agree with the genus, the form of the epithet (punctata, punctatus, punctatum) will vary to match the gender of the genus. When the genus is masculine, punctatus is used; when feminine, punctata; neuter, punctatum.

The term is descriptive and does not imply any biological relationship among species that share punctata across different genera. It is one of many common Latin epithets based on gross morphological features used to distinguish species.

See also: Latin binomial nomenclature, species epithet, punctate.