sordidus

Sordidus is a Latin adjective used in the scientific names of organisms as a species epithet. It derives from the Latin sordidus, meaning dirty, filthy, or sordid, and it agrees in gender with the genus (sordidus for masculine, sordida for feminine, sordidum for neuter). In taxonomy, sordidus does not denote a distinct taxon by itself but serves as a descriptive epithet applied to many different species across various groups.

The use of sordidus spans multiple kingdoms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. Epithets such as sordidus are part of the traditional practice of Latinizing descriptors in binomial nomenclature, offering a concise note about a characteristic, habitat, or impression associated with the organism at the time of naming. Consequently, the exact meaning of sordidus can vary from one name to another; it may refer to a dull or brownish coloration, a dirty or earthy appearance, or an association with soil and dust.

Modern taxonomy emphasizes careful description and phylogenetic relationships, and some epithets may be revised if the species is reclassified. Nonetheless, historical epithets like sordidus remain part of the formal name and contribute to the descriptive heritage of biological nomenclature. In broader usage, sordidus illustrates the role of Latin adjectives in naming living organisms and their enduring influence on scientific literature.