Here's a breakdown:
* "Panthera" is the genus name for big cats that include lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and snow leopards. All these species share similar characteristics, like the ability to roar.
* "pardus" is the specific name for the leopard species.
So, "Panthera pardus" refers to the leopard, a specific species within the genus Panthera.
The term "panther" is often used more broadly to describe any black-coated big cat, usually referring to a black leopard or jaguar.