The scientific name for an alligator is Alligator mississippiensis for the American alligator and Alligator sinensis for the Chinese alligator.
Explanation: The name Alligator mississippiensis refers specifically to the species found primarily in the southeastern United States, while Alligator sinensis is used for the smaller species native to China. Scientific names are used in biology to provide a standard way to identify organisms, ensuring clarity and reducing confusion that may arise from common names. The naming follows the binomial nomenclature system, developed by Carl Linnaeus, which consists of the genus name followed by the species name.