monotypic

[ mon-uh-tip-ik ]

adjective

1. having only one type.
2. of the nature of a monotype.
3. Biology. having only one representative, as a genus with a single species.

monotypic

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈtɪpɪk /

adjective

1. (of a genus or species) consisting of only one type of animal or plant
2. of or relating to a monotype

monotypic

/ mŏn′ə-tĭp′ĭk /

1. Having a single form or member, especially containing no more than one taxonomic category of the next lower rank. A monotypic genus contains a single species, while a monotypic species consists of a single population that is not divided into subspecies.
2. Compare polytypic

Word History and Origins

Origin of monotypic¹

1875–80; mono- + type ( def ) + -ic ( def )

Example Sentences

Other references to the monotypic genus have consisted only of a listing of the name or of its inclusion in a key.

From Project Gutenberg

We follow Chang (1932:54) and most subsequent authors in regarding D. rufozonatum as a monotypic species.

From Project Gutenberg

The synonymy of each monotypic species or subspecies begins with the name as given in the original description.

From Project Gutenberg

It is evident, then, as Romanes claims, that natural selection alone tends to monotypic evolution.

From Project Gutenberg

First, the distinction between monotypic and polytypic evolution is not defined.

From Project Gutenberg