subspecies

American  

[suhb-spee-sheez, suhb-spee-] / ˈsʌbˌspi ʃiz, sʌbˈspi- /

noun

subspecies plural

1. a subdivision of a species, especially a geographical or ecological subdivision.

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subspecies British  

/ ˈsʌbˌspiːʃiːz, ˌsʌbspɪˈsɪfɪk /

noun

1.  ssp.  biology a taxonomic group that is a subdivision of a species: usually occurs because of isolation within a species

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subspecies Scientific  

/ sŭb′spē′shēz,-sēz /

1. A subdivision of a species of organisms, usually based on geographic distribution. The subspecies name is written in lowercase italics following the species name. For example, Gorilla gorilla gorilla is the western lowland gorilla, and Gorilla gorilla graueri is the eastern lowland gorilla.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subspecific
  adjective
• subspecifically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• subspecies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of subspecies

First recorded in 1690–1700; sub- + species

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subspecies

To investigate the question, the researchers included 17 fossils belonging to what they describe as the "Tyrannosaurus rex species complex," a term acknowledging the possibility that more than one species or subspecies could be represented.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 22, 2026

They are the smallest tiger subspecies and are native to Sumatra, one of Indonesia's largest islands.

From BBC ● May 19, 2026

Each of the Channel Islands has endemic species and subspecies, including island foxes, that are found nowhere else, said Phyllis Grifman, vice chair of the advisory council.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

Doubts remain however over a local subspecies of the rodent.

From Barron's ● May 12, 2026

El Tirindaro is a subspecies of coyote known as a patero, because he smuggles people into the United States by pushing them across the river on inner tubes while paddling like a pato, or duck.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario