What does the specific epithet flavescens in Zebrasoma flavescens signify?
Answer
Turning yellow or becoming yellow.
The scientific designation culminates in the binomial nomenclature, where the specific epithet *flavescens* provides a descriptive element. This term is derived directly from Latin roots and translates precisely to mean 'turning yellow' or 'becoming yellow.' This choice of nomenclature is a highly descriptive nod to the signature, bright yellow coloration for which the Yellow Tang is famous across the coral reefs of the Pacific. The full scientific name, *Zebrasoma flavescens*, thus acts as a universal identifier, encapsulating both its genus (body structure) and its defining visual characteristic (color).
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