rutherfordi

Rutherfordi is a Latinized specific epithet used in the scientific naming of organisms. It is typically formed from the surname Rutherford and is in the genitive form, indicating the species was named in honor of a person with that surname. In zoological and botanical nomenclature, the epithet is written in lowercase and is attached to a genus name to form a binomial name (for example, Genus rutherfordi). The exact individual honored by a given Rutherfordi name depends on the original publication describing the species.

The epithet does not convey any inherent biological characteristics of the organism; rather, it serves as an homage—often to scientists, benefactors, or explorers associated with the discovery or study of the species. Similar Latinized epithets exist for other surnames, typically using suffixes such as -i for men, -ae for women, and -orum for multiple honorees.

In taxonomic practice, the formation of such epithets follows formal rules set by the relevant code (for animals, the ICZN; for plants, the ICN). The epithet is not capitalized, regardless of the capitalization of the surname, and remains fixed within the binomial or trinomial name.

Notable instances of Rutherfordi occurrences vary by taxon and publication; researchers encountering a Rutherfordi epithet in literature should consult the original species description to identify the honoree and the broader context of the naming.