subspecies

American  

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

noun

plural

subspecies

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

• subspecific
  adjective
• subspecifically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of subspecies

First recorded in 1690–1700; sub- + species

Example Sentences

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

To pinpoint the protective trait, researchers crossed Calcutta 4 with susceptible bananas from another diploid subspecies.

From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026

The Fongoli apes are members of the critically endangered subspecies of West African chimpanzees.

From Barron's • Jan. 15, 2026

In one study released last month, eastern and western chimpanzees — which are two different subspecies — were observed in the wild to have distinct drumming patterns.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2025

In the early 1990s Brazilian researchers discovered a wild subspecies, M. esculentaflabelli-folia, in Rondonia.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann