Subspecies

Definitions

1. A rank in the classification of organisms, below species.
2. A taxon at that rank, often indicated with trinomial nomenclature (such as Felis silvestris silvestris in zoology and Pinus nigra subsp. salzmannii in botany).
3. A subdivision of a species in other scientific disciplines.

Equivalents

Examples

“I believe⟳ it [the trilobite Calymene blumenbachii] has been divided into several forms, which cannot claim⟳ more than the rank of subspecies, as they pass⟳ by slight gradations into forms which no author has yet thought it right to separate⟳ from the type⟳ species.”

“Ant taxonomists have⟳ decided that anything that's worth separating should be separated at the species level, and have⟳ no truck with subspecies at all. Butterfly taxonomists, however, like⟳ the triple-barrelled name⟳ approach⟳ and dote on subspecies. As a result⟳, the numbers of ant species and butterfly species are not directly comparable.”

“But these slight differences will not justify⟳ us in considering the West African chiquera as a true species distinct from the Indian true chiquera; it is only a subspecies of the latter true species.”

“Granular Augite. […] This subspecies of augite has been hitherto found principally in primitive rocks at Arendal in Norway, in several of the iron-mines, particularly that named Ulve-Grube.”

CEFR level