polytypic

American  

[pol-ee-tip-ik] / ˌpɒl iˈtɪp ɪk /

Often polytypical

adjective

1. having or involving many or several types.

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polytypic British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈtɪpɪk /

adjective

1. existing in, consisting of, or incorporating several different types or forms

2. biology (of a taxonomic group) having many subdivisions, esp (of a species) having many subspecies and geographical races

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polytypic Scientific  

/ pŏl′ē-tĭp′ĭk /

1. Having several variant forms, especially containing more than one taxonomic category of the next lower rank. A polytypic genus contains two or more different species, while a polytypic species consists of two or more subspecies.

2. Compare monotypic

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Etymology

Origin of polytypic

First recorded in 1885–90; poly- + type ( def. ) + -ic ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

polytypic

Put together, Mayr said, these various practical and theoretical considerations dictated that every one of the human fossils known should be placed within a single evolving polytypic lineage.

From Scientific American ● Jun. 12, 2015

In order that the original group of intergenerants should be divided and sub-divided into two or more groups of intergenerants, some additional form of isolation must necessarily supervene—when, of course, polytypic evolution will result.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol 3 of 3) Post-Darwinian Questions: Isolation and Physiological Selection by Romanes, George John

Again, natural selection differs from most of the other forms of isolation in that, unless assisted by some other form, it can never lead to polytypic, but only to monotypic evolution.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol 3 of 3) Post-Darwinian Questions: Isolation and Physiological Selection by Romanes, George John

The bar of mutual sterility, whenever and wherever it occurs, must always render polytypic evolution possible.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol 3 of 3) Post-Darwinian Questions: Isolation and Physiological Selection by Romanes, George John

So likewise, in the succeeding discussion on "divergence of character," the analogy is again resorted to for the purpose of showing how polytypic evolution may occur in nature.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol 3 of 3) Post-Darwinian Questions: Isolation and Physiological Selection by Romanes, George John