cryptic species

American  

[krip-tik spee-sheez] / ˈkrɪp tɪk ˈspi ʃiz /

noun

1. a species that is genetically distinct from one or more other species but morphologically identical.

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Example Sentences

Because of this, Chan noted that some of the growing number of proposed cryptic species could result from how scientists analyze the data rather than reflecting clear biological divisions.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

"Many of these cryptic species have likely been evolving separately for a million years or more," said Wiens.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

If what was once considered a single widespread species is split into several distinct cryptic species, each newly identified species occupies a smaller geographic range.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

The researchers also evaluated different approaches used to estimate the number of cryptic species, offering guidance for future research in this area.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

Bond had long suspected the presence of cryptic species, a term for species that appear similar but are genetically distinct.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2025