subspecies
Sign in to saveIn biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species have subspecies, but for those that do there must be at least two. Subspecies is abbreviated as subsp. or ssp. and the singular and plural forms are the same ("the subspecies is" or "the subspecies are").
AI overview
A subspecies is a group of animals within a single species that live in different areas and look somewhat different from each other, but can still breed together successfully. Scientists use this classification to recognize and study populations that share some distinct features while remaining biologically compatible.
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Article
10 sectionsContents
- Nomenclature
- Nominotypical subspecies and subspecies autonyms
- Doubtful cases
- Criteria
- Monotypic and polytypic species
- See also
- References
- Citations
- General and cited sources
- External links
In biological classification, subspecies (: subspecies) is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species have subspecies, but for those that do there must be at least two. Subspecies is abbreviated as subsp. or ssp. and the singular and plural forms are the same ("the subspecies is" or "the subspecies are").
In zoology, under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the subspecies is the only taxonomic rank below that of species that can receive a name. In botany and mycology, under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, other infraspecific ranks, such as variety, may be named. In bacteriology and virology, under standard bacterial nomenclature and virus nomenclature, there are recommendations but not strict requirements for recognizing other important infraspecific ranks.