subspecific

American  

[suhb-spuh-sif-ik] / ˌsʌb spəˈsɪf ɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a subspecies.

2. less than specific.

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Other Word Forms

• subspecifically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of subspecific

First recorded in 1865–70; sub- + specific

Example Sentences

It follows, therefore, that in some cases ornithologists do not agree upon a bird's claim to subspecific rank.

From Color Key to North American Birds with bibiographical appendix by Chapman, Frank M.

The subspecific identity of the animals from east-central Colorado thus is left in doubt.

From A New Pocket Gopher (Genus Thomomys), from Eastern Colorado by Hall, E. Raymond (Eugene Raymond)

The differential characters of these three named kinds of Spilogale are principally those of size, and we can see no characters judged to be of more than subspecific worth.

From Comments on the Taxonomy and Geographic Distribution of Some North American Marsupials, Insectivores and Carnivores by Hall, E. Raymond (Eugene Raymond)

In subspecific diagnoses in this report, color and size, and sometimes relative size, are the characters usually mentioned.

From Speciation of the Wandering Shrew by Findley, James S.

Taken together, the above evidence indicates subspecific status for the northern, Mexican, animal and we conclude that it should stand as Cyclopes tridactylus mexicanus Hollister.

From The Subspecific Status of Two Central American Sloths by Hall, E. Raymond (Eugene Raymond)