zoology Zoology ( , ) is the scientific study of animals. Its studies include the anatomy, structure, embryology, Biological classification, classification, Ethology, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinction, extinct, and ...

, the word "form" or "''forma''" (literally

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

for ''form'') is a strictly informal term that is sometimes used to describe organisms. Under the ''

International Code of Zoological Nomenclature The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is a widely accepted Convention (norm), convention in zoology that rules the formal scientific name, scientific naming of organisms treated as animals. It is also informally known as the I ...

'' the term has no standing (it is not accepted). In other words, although form names are Latin, and are sometimes wrongly appended to a binomial name, in a zoological context, forms do not have much taxonomic significance.

Usage of the term

Some zoologists use the word "form" or "forma" to describe variation in animals, especially

insect Insects (from Latin ') are Hexapoda, hexapod invertebrates of the class (biology), class Insecta. They are the largest group within the arthropod phylum. Insects have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body (Insect morphology#Head, head, ...

s, as part of a series of terms and abbreviations that are appended to the binomen or trinomen. Many "typical specimens" may be described, but none should be considered absolute, unconditional or categorical. Forms have no official status, though they are sometimes useful in describing altitudinal or geographical clines. As opposed to morphs (see below), a subpopulation usually consists of a single form only at any given point of time. ;''forma geographica'' - f. geogr. : If used, nowadays usually denotes a part of a cline; for example for intergrades between

subspecies In Taxonomy (biology), biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (Morphology (biology), morpholog ...

in their area of contact. ;''forma localis'' - f. loc. : As "f. geogr." but only local, more restricted in occurrence (). ;''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 vernalis'' - f. vern. (spring form) :* ''forma aestivalis'' - f. aest. (summer form) :* ''forma autumnalis'' - f. autumn. (autumn form) ;''aberratio'' - ab. : May be used for a single individual, for a small group such as an individual and its offspring, or for atypical individuals (for example, albinos). It can also used for commonly observed forms 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 concept with a less restricted occurrence (). As neither forms nor morphs are officially recognised terminology in zoology, application can vary but, generally, morphs occur without geographical or seasonal restriction, and may constitute a significant part of the population; usually, several morphs co-occur in a single subpopulation at a given time. A well known example is the peppered moth. *

Botanical nomenclature Botanical nomenclature is the formal, scientific naming of plants. It is related to, but distinct from taxonomy (biology), taxonomy. Plant taxonomy is concerned with grouping and classifying plants; Botany, botanical nomenclature then provides na ...

is much more complex, with the use of varieties, subvarieties, and forms being formally regulated by the ICBN.

References

{{reflist Zoological nomenclature Forma taxa

Usage of the term

See also

References