Monotypic

Monotypic refers to a taxonomic group with only one subgroup at the next (smaller) taxonomic level, for example, a monotypic genus has only one species.

Related Topics:
Taxonomic - Genus - Species

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An example is the genus Darlingtonia, the only member species of which is Darlingtonia californica.

Related Topics:
Genus - Darlingtonia - Species

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Another example is the extant species Homo sapiens, the human species, which, as of the end of the twentieth century, is considered to be indivisible into separate sub-species or races.

Related Topics:
Extant - Species - Homo sapiens - Twentieth century - Sub-species - Race

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Some researchers assume the extinct Neandertal to be a sub-species of H. sapiens, which would split the species Homo sapiens into two: Homo sapiens sapiens would be today's people and the Neandertals would then be called Homo sapiens neanderthalensis. This would not change today's status of H. sapiens as a monotypic species.

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