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

The subspecies of Aedes aegypti now established across large swaths of the U.S. began its evolutionary journey in sub-Saharan Africa.

From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2026

It is also home to a lizard species found only on three of the Channel Islands; a spotted skunk that lives on just two Channel Islands; a unique island fox subspecies; and several uncommon birds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

Doubts remain however over a local subspecies of the rodent.

From Barron's ● May 12, 2026

This term acknowledges the possibility that the fossils may represent multiple related species or subspecies.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 5, 2026

She has named two new subspecies of chitons.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr