Species novum
- Pronunciation
- /SPEH-shees NOH-vuhm/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Species novum
- Plural
- Species nova
Definition
A newly discovered or described species.
Etymology
Latin *species*, meaning 'kind' or 'type', and *novum*, meaning 'new'.
Example
The discovery of a new species of butterfly in the Amazon rainforest was announced as a *species novum*.
Related Terms
- Discovery
- Nomenclature
- New Species
Usage Notes
Usually used in formal contexts to describe the first instance of a new species being reported.