Form (zoology) - Citizendia

This article is not about formal zoological nomenclature; it describes terms that are sometimes used but have no standing under the ICZN. The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is a set of rules in Zoology that have one fundamental aim to provide the maximum universality and continuity in the naming "ICZN" redirects here It is also sometimes used for the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature in error

Forma (literally Latin for form) is a low-level taxonomic rank. Taxonomic rank ( rank, category, taxonomic category is an abstract term used in the Scientific classification, or Taxonomy, of organisms It is used in a series of terms and abbreviations to describe variation in animals, especially insects. Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described The terms or abbreviations are appended to the binomen or trinomen. In zoology, a binomen, or binominal name is the name of a species In zoology, a trinomen, or trinominal name refers to the name of a Subspecies. Many 'typical specimens' may be described, but none should be considered absolute, unconditional or categorical. Forms have no official status, though they may be 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. Polymorphism in biology occurs when two or more clearly different Phenotypes exist in the same population of a species — in other words the occurrence of more than one In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology

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. In Zoology, as in other branches of Biology, subspecies is the Taxonomic rank immediately subordinate to a Species.

forma localis - f. loc.

As "f. geogr. " but only local, more restricted in occurrence. See also small population size. Populations with small population size behave differently to larger populations

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). Albinism (from Latin albus, "white" see extended etymology) is a form of hypopigmentary Congenital disorder,

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. Polymorphism in biology occurs when two or more clearly different Phenotypes exist in the same population of a species — in other words the occurrence of more than one

Notes:

A morph is a similar concept with a less restricted occurrence (see also Polymorphism). Polymorphism in biology occurs when two or more clearly different Phenotypes exist in the same population of a species — in other words the occurrence of more than one Polymorphism in biology occurs when two or more clearly different Phenotypes exist in the same population of a species — in other words the occurrence of more than one 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. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology For a famous example, see Peppered moth. The peppered moth ( Biston betularia) is a temperate species of night-flying Moth.
Botanical nomenclature is much more complex, with the use of varieties, subvarieties, and forms being formally regulated by the ICBN. Botanical nomenclature is the formal naming of plants from a scientific point of view In Botanical nomenclature or biological nomenclature variety is a low-level Taxonomic rank below that of species and signifies members of different populations can In botanical nomenclature a subvariety ( subvarietas) is a Taxonomic rank below that of variety ( varietas) but above that of form This article is about "form" in botany For the use in zoology see Form (zoology. The International Code of Botanical Nomenclature ( ICBN) is the set of rules and recommendations dealing with the formal Botanical names that are given to