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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

Related Forms:

  • subspecific sub′·spe·cif′ic (-spə sif′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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