This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Dysmorodrepanis~enwiki (talk | contribs) at 13:37, 7 January 2007 (makeover). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 13:37, 7 January 2007 by Dysmorodrepanis~enwiki (talk | contribs) (makeover)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)- This article is not about formal zoological nomenclature; it describes terms that are sometimes used but have no standing under the ICZN.
In describing variation in animals, especially insects, several terms and abbreviations have been used, additionally, following a binomen or trinomen. Many other 'typical specimens' may be described, but these should not be considered as being absolute, unconditional or categorical. These forms have no official status, though they may be useful in describing altitudinal or geographical clines.
forma geographica - f. geogr.
- If used, nowadays usually denotes a part of a cline; for example for intergrades between subspecies in their area of contact.
forma localis - f. loc.
- As "f. geogr." but only local, more restricted in occurrence. See also small population size.
forma alta - f. alt.
- Altitudinal features are not necessarily inherited, but may entirely be due to environment. The same applies to temperature or humidity-generated forms, such as:
forma aestivalis - f. aest. (spring form)
forma autumnalis - f. autumn. (autumn form)
aberratio - ab.
- May be used of a single or a small group of (single occurrence, such as one individual and its offspring) atypical individuals, for example of albinos.
- Also used for commonly observed form of a species, but in this case use of forma (f.) or morpha, accompanied by a descriptive name, is more conventional.
Notes:
- A morph is a similar phenomenon with a less-restricted ccurrence. As neither is an officially-regulated concept, application can vary, but as a rule-of-thumb, morphs occur without geographical or seasonal restriction, and constitute a significant part of the population. For a famous example, see Peppered moth.
- Botanical nomenclature is much more complex, with the use of varieties, subvarieties, and forms being formally regulated by the ICBN.