type species

noun Biology.

the species of a genus that is regarded as the best example of the generic characters of the genus; the species from which a genus was originally named.

Origin of type species

First recorded in 1830–40

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for type species

Historical Examples of type species

The type-species (D. giganteum) is calculated to have attained the length of 18 feet.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia
Various
The type-species of this genus is the Negro Cynopithecus, who is wholly black, and a little smaller than the Baboon.
The Desert World
Arthur Mangin
To recognise the identity of phenomena which thus differ only in degree, we must assume a type-species.
Analysis of Mr. Mill's System of Logic
William Stebbing
The type-species was originally found in N. America but has since been taken in several localities in continental Europe.
Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa
Nelson Annandale

type species in Science

type species

See holotype.

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