Abbreviations and Latin Terms in Taxonomy: A Glossary for Chameleons
Taxonomic literature is dense with Latin abbreviations—cryptic to most, but precise in function. Even outside formal taxonomy, these terms appear in field notes, museum labels, conservation reports, and scientific articles. Understanding them is not just useful for specialists; it's essential for anyone navigating biological documentation, species lists, or biodiversity databases.
This glossary decodes the most common abbreviations used in zoological and botanical taxonomy. Each term is of Latin origin and serves a specific role in naming, classification, or commentary. The examples provided are drawn from chameleons for illustration only and are entirely hypothetical. They are designed to clarify usage, not to assert taxonomic facts.
Whether you're a field biologist, curator, editor, or simply a reader encountering cf., sp. nov., or nom. dub., this guide offers clarity and context—without dilution.
Affinis
Indicates affinity or close resemblance to a known species, but not identity.
Example: Furcifer aff. pardalis — a specimen closely related to the panther chameleon but not identical.
auct. non
Auctorum non ("of authors, not")
Used when a name has been misapplied by certain authors.
Example: Chamaeleo dilepis auct. non Leach — later authors misapplied the name compared to Leach's original definition.
cf.
Confer ("compare")
Suggests comparison with another taxon, indicating uncertainty.
Example: Brookesia cf. stumpffi — resembles B. stumpffi but identification is not confirmed.
comb. nov.
Combinatio nova (new combination)
Indicates a new genus-species combination.
Example: Furcifer lateralis comb. nov. — when moved from Chamaeleo to Furcifer.
emend.
- Emendavit ("he/she emended")
- Indicates a corrected or modified name/description.
- Example: Calumma parsonii emend. Gray — Gray corrected the description.
ex
- Ex ("from")
- Used in botanical authorship, but occasionally in zoological notes, to show one author proposed a name and another validly published it.
- Example: Chamaeleo verrucosus Cuvier ex Duméril.
f.
- Forma
Botanical rank below variety, denoting minor morphological variants.
Example: Calumma parsonii f. cristatum — a hypothetical form distinguished by crest morphology.
gen. nov.
- Genus novum (new genus)
Indicates a newly described genus.
Example: Archaius gen. nov. — established for the Seychelles chameleon.
incertae sedis
Of uncertain placement
Used when the taxonomic position is unresolved.
Example: Chamaeleonidae incertae sedis — for fossil chameleons not clearly assignable to a genus.
in sched.
- In schedis ("in notes")
Refers to a name found only in unpublished notes or labels.
Example: Calumma sp. in sched. — a name appearing only on museum labels.
in statu nascendi
In the state of being born
Refers to a taxon or concept in the process of recognition.
Example: Furcifer sp. in statu nascendi — a population under study, potentially a new species.
i.s.n.
- In schedis nomen
Variant emphasizing a name only on specimen labels.
Example: Brookesia i.s.n. — label name without publication.
nom. cons.
- Nomen conservandum (conserved name)
A name protected despite irregularities.
Example: Chamaeleo chamaeleon nom. cons. — conserved for the common chameleon.
nom. dub.
- Nomen dubium (doubtful name)
A name based on insufficient material.
Example: Chamaeleo africanus nom. dub. — poorly described, identity uncertain.
nom. inval.
- Nomen invalidum (invalid name)
Fails to meet publication criteria.
Example: Calumma globifer nom. inval. — if published without proper description.
nom. nud.
- Nomen nudum (naked name)
Published without valid description.
Example: Furcifer viridis nom. nud. — name appears but lacks diagnosis.
nec
- Nec ("not")
Used to contrast misapplied names.
Example: Chamaeleo nec Günther — not as defined by Günther.
s.l.
sensu lato (in the broad sense)
Indicates a broad interpretation.
Example: Calumma parsonii s.l. — includes both large and small morphs.
s.str.
- sensu stricto (in the strict sense)
Indicates narrow definition.
Example: Calumma parsonii s.str. — restricted to the nominate form.
sp.
- Species
Used when species is unknown or unspecified.
Example: Furcifer sp. — unidentified species of Furcifer.
sp. nov.
- Species nova (new species)
Indicates a newly described species.
Example: Brookesia nana sp. nov. — when first described.
ssp.
- Subspecies
Denotes a recognized infraspecific taxon.
Example: Chamaeleo chamaeleon ssp. recticrista.
stat. nov.
- Status novus (new status)
Indicates change in rank.
Example: Calumma cristifer stat. nov. — raised from subspecies to species.
syn.
- Synonymum (synonym)
- Refers to a name taxonomically equivalent to another.
- Example: Chamaeleo dilepis syn. Furcifer dilepis.
var.
Varietas (variety)
Botanical rank below subspecies.
Example: Calumma parsonii var. cristatum — a botanical-style designation for a morphological variant.