Monotypic taxon
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In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon.[1] Although the phrase appears to indicate that a taxon has a single type specimen (with no syntypes, lectotypes, or other types) and no heterotypic/junior synonyms, that is not the usage.
A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unispecific" is sometimes preferred.
In botanical nomenclature, a monotypic genus also refers to a special case where a genus and a single species are simultaneously described.[2]
Examples
Just as the term "monotypic" is used to describe a large taxon including only one subdivision, one can also refer to the contained taxon as monotypic within the larger taxon, e.g. a genus monotypic within a family. Some examples of monotypic groups are listed below.
- The family Cephalotaceae includes only one genus, Cephalotus, and only one species, Cephalotus follicularis – the Albany pitcher plant.
- The aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is monotypic within the genus Orycteropus, which is monotypic within the family Orycteropodidae, which is itself monotypic within the order Tubulidentata.
- The hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is a monotypic species; no subspecies have been distinguished within the species.
- The bearded reedling (Panurus biarmicus) has a few subspecies across its range, but belongs to the genus Panurus, which current knowledge considers monotypic (the only genus) within the family Panuridae.
- The Cream-spotted cardinalfish (Ozichthys albimaculosus), found in tropical Australia and southern New Guinea, is the type species of the monotypic genus Ozichthys.[3]
- The flowering plant Breonadia salicina is the only species in the monotypic genus Breonadia.
See also
- Monospecific
- Race (classification of human beings) (a more detailed definition of monotypes in the context of humans, Homo sapiens)
- Category:Monotypic genera
References
- ↑ Mayr E, Ashlock PD. (1991). Principles of Systematic Zoology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-041144-1
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. articles 38.5 and 38.6
- ↑ Fraser, T.H. (2014). A new genus of cardinalfish from tropical Australia and southern New Guinea (Percomorpha: Apogonidae). Zootaxa 3852(2): 283–293.
