In the scientific name Panthera leo, which statement correctly reflects standard formatting?

• A. The genus name is capitalized and the species name is lowercase
• B. The genus name is lowercase and the species name is capitalized
• C. The two names are underlined separately
• D. The name is written as one word without a space

Answer: (A)

In binomial nomenclature, the genus name is capitalized and the species name (epithet) is lowercase, and the two words are separated by a space. The whole name is usually written in italics. So Panthera leo shows a capital P for Panthera and a lowercase l for leo, with a space between, and it should be italicized. Writing the genus in lowercase or the species in uppercase would violate this convention, and formatting the name as one word or dividing the two parts with separate underlines isn’t the standard. This capitalization-and-spacing rule is the best reflection of the correct formatting.