rostrata

Rostrata is a Latin adjectival species epithet used in zoological and botanical nomenclature. It means beaked or having a rostrum, derived from the Latin rostrum, meaning “beak” or “snout.” In taxonomy, rostrata is the feminine form of the adjective; it has masculine (rostratus) and neuter (rostratum) counterparts to agree with the gender of the genus name.

As an epithet, rostrata does not refer to a single taxon. Instead, it appears across many genera to indicate a beak-like feature, such as a projection on a body part, seed, fruit, or shell. The same descriptive intent can apply in diverse groups, including plants and animals, and the precise character it highlights may vary between lineages.

Usage notes: The epithet is chosen to denote a noticeable rostrum or beak-like feature without implying a specific taxonomic relationship. Latin gender agreement rules govern its form in a given name. When encountering a species name ending in rostrata, one must consult the full binomial and related taxonomic literature to determine the organism and its defining characteristics.

See also: rostrum, rostrate, rostrology terms such as rostral and related Latin descriptors. Rostratum, rostratus are the masculine and neuter equivalents used in equally gendered genera.