type species

American  

noun

Biology.

1. the species of a genus that is regarded as the best example of the generic characters of the genus; the species from which a genus was originally named.

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type species Scientific  

1. See holotype

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Etymology

Origin of type species

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The authors' molecular work on type species is a major contribution to mycology because it establishes an authoritative foundation for all future work on Psilocybe diversity in taxonomy.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024

The type species of the genus, E eidmanni, lives in the nests of the ant Crematogaster impressa on Bioko island, Equatorial Guinea.

From The Guardian • Oct. 13, 2012

Grendelius is certainly synonymous with Brachypterygius, but opinions differ as to whether B. mordax is distinct from the type species, B. extremus.

From Scientific American • Jan. 3, 2012

The type species of this group, known as Alces machlis, was long considered by European naturalists uniform throughout its circumpolar distribution, in the north of both hemispheres.

From American Big Game in Its Haunts by Various

If, and only if, the species of one family originated from a single type species, could families, be founded rationally, avec raison.

From Form and Function A Contribution to the History of Animal Morphology by E. S. (Edward Stuart) Russell