Species nova explained

In biological taxonomy, a Latin: species nova (plural: Latin: species novae; abbreviation: Latin: sp. nov. plural abbreviation: Latin: spp. nov.) is a new species.^[1] The phrase is Latin, and is used after a binomial name that is being published for the first time.^[2]

An example is the species of miniature frog, Paedophryne amauensis, originally described as Paedophryne amauensis sp. nov. in PLOS ONE in 2012.^[3]

The term should not be confused with Latin: [[combinatio nova]], used when a previously named taxon is moved to a different genus or species, or its rank is changed.

See also

• Glossary of scientific naming
• Species description

Notes and References

1. Web site: What Latin abbreviations mean . 31 October 2016.
2. Web site: Medical Definition of sp nov . . 31 October 2016.
3. Rittmeyer . Eric N. . Allison . Allen . Gründler . Michael C. . Thompson . Derrick K. . Austin . Christopher C. . 2012 . Ecological guild evolution and the discovery of the world's smallest vertebrate . . 7 . 1 . e29797. . 10.1371/journal.pone.0029797 . 22253785 . 3256195. 2012PLoSO...729797R . free .