candidate species

[ kan-di-deyt spee-sheez, spee-seez, kan-di-dit ]

noun

, Biology, Ecology.

1. any plant or animal species that is a candidate for designation as an endangered species or threatened species:

   Thanks to conservation efforts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service no longer classifies this New England rabbit as a candidate species.

candidate species

/ kăn′dĭ-dāt′ /

1. A plant or animal species that is classified by a government agency as a candidate for possible listing as an endangered or threatened species.

Word History and Origins

Origin of candidate species¹

First recorded in 1965–70