truncatus

Truncatus is a Latin adjective used in biological nomenclature as a specific epithet in the scientific binomial name of a species. Derived from truncare, meaning to cut off or shorten, truncatus generally signals that a feature of the organism is perceived as truncated or reduced relative to related forms. In taxonomy, the epithet must agree in gender with the genus name and is governed by the relevant nomenclatural codes for animals and plants.

The best-known species with this epithet is Tursiops truncatus, the common bottlenose dolphin. This marine mammal is widely distributed in temperate and tropical coastal waters and is among the most studied dolphins. The name is historically tied to a perceived characteristic that taxonomists associated with the species, such as a relatively short rostrum in comparison with some relatives, though the exact motivation for the epithet can vary with the author.

Across biology, truncatus appears in multiple taxa as a descriptor in the species name, illustrating how Latin adjectives are used to convey morphological impressions in taxonomy. The epithet forms part of the formal scientific name and is not used independently; it is interpreted within the context of the genus to which it is attached.