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subspecies Definition

sub·spe·cies (sub′spē′s̸hēz)

noun

any natural subdivision of a species that exhibits small, but persistent, morphological variations from other subdivisions of the same species living in different geographical regions or times: the subspecies name is usually the third term (not capitalized) in a trinomial (Ex.: the scientific name for Neanderthal man is Homo sapiens neanderthalensis)

Etymology: ModL: see sub- + species

subspecies Related Forms
sub′·spe·cif′ic (-spə sif′ik) adjective
subspecies Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • tiger: The future survival of this subspecies of tiger looks very bleak, indeed many conservationists believe it's fate is already sealed.
  • elephant: The other two subspecies of the Asian elephant are E. m. sumatranus on Sumatra and E. m. maximus on Sri Lanka.
  • chimpanzee: Moreover, Whiten and colleagues found no evidence that habits vary more between, than within, the three existing chimpanzee subspecies of chimpanzee.
  • bird: Its only saving grace was apparently that there were three subspecies of this bird.

Converse of object

  • consider: The nightjar, now considered a subspecies of Rufous Nightjar, is rarely seen outside of the breeding season.
  • find: Good views enabled comparison of the 2 of the 3 subspecies found in Nepal.
  • include: The Life of Mountain Gorillas: There are two main species of gorilla, which include five subspecies.
  • see: Also here we saw the Cuban subspecies of Northern Flicker, and West Indian Woodpecker.
  • know: This subspecies known as Scopoli's Shearwater, may well be split in the future.

Adjective modifier

  • endemic: Further down we looked for the endemic subspecies of Yellow Warbler.
  • distinctive: Perhaps the most notable land bird is St Kilda's own distinctive subspecies of wren, 2 - 3g heavier than mainland birds.
  • distinct: There are four distinct subspecies, found throughout the eastern United States.
  • different: In most cases the raw data do not distinguish between records for different subspecies.
  • local: Kestrel: The local subspecies very common in most parts of Tenerife.
  • other: Here the subspecies regina which differs from the other subspecies in having a golden crown.

Modifies a noun

  • paratuberculosis: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis ( MAP ) is a bug which is a specific cause of chronic inflammation of the intestine in many animals.
  • nana: Subspecies nana is found in the Cairngorms NNR, and on at least five SSSIs in northwest Scotland.
  • level: The online distribution maps are available at class, family, genus, species and subspecies level.

Noun used with modifier

  • avium: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis ( MAP ) is a bug which is a specific cause of chronic inflammation of the intestine in many animals.
  • mycobacterium: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis ( MAP ) is a bug which is a specific cause of chronic inflammation of the intestine in many animals.