polytypic

[ pol-ee-tip-ik ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

polytypic

/ ˌpɒlɪˈtɪpɪk /

existing in, consisting of, or incorporating several different types or forms
biology (of a taxonomic group) having many subdivisions, esp (of a species) having many subspecies and geographical races

polytypic

/ pŏl′ē-tĭp′ĭk /

Having several variant forms, especially containing more than one taxonomic category of the next lower rank. A polytypic genus contains two or more different species, while a polytypic species consists of two or more subspecies.
Compare monotypic

First recorded in 1885–90; poly- + type ( def ) + -ic ( def )

A discussion of the polytypic species, Hypopachus oxyrrhinus, with a description of a new subspecies.

In polytypic species, the diagnosis of a subspecies is designed only to distinguish it from other subspecies of that species.

The bar of mutual sterility, whenever and wherever it occurs, must always render polytypic evolution possible.

It has been shown that divergent or polytypic evolution on common areas is inexplicable by natural selection alone.

Had he gone a step further, he must have seen that separation, in some form or another, is "indispensable" to polytypic evolution.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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