Monotypic is an adjective, that refers to a taxonomic group with only one type: Taxonomy, sometimes alpha taxonomy, is the science of finding, describing and naming organisms, thus giving rise to taxa. ... In scientific classification, a type is a specimen or description that corresponds to a taxon (a group of organisms), and helps to identify which organisms may be referred to with that name. ...

• in botany it means that a taxon has only one species; Ginkgo is a monotypic genus, while Ginkgoaceae is a monotypic family. The phrase is not really accurate, as it assumes that a species includes only a single type. This is not necessarily the case as a species may include several subspecies (or other infraspecific taxa) each of which will have a type. A more accurate term is "unispecific".

An example is the genus Darlingtonia, with only one species: Darlingtonia californica.

• in zoology "monotypic" refers to a taxon that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon.^[1] For example, a monotypic genus has only one species. Conversely, one can say that the contained taxon is monotypic within the larger taxon; a genus monotypic within a family.

An example is the genus Tarsius which is monotypic within the Tarsiidae family (which is itself monotypic in Tarsiiformes). An example of a monotypic species is the Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) which, discounting the nominate taxon, does not include any subordinate taxa (subspecies). On the contrary the Mealy Parrot (Amazona farinosa) is not a monotypic species, as it has several subordinate taxa (subspecies).

Pinguicula grandiflora Botany is the scientific study of plantlife. ... A taxon (plural taxa), or taxonomic unit, is a grouping of organisms (named or unnamed). ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... In biology, a genus (plural genera) is a taxonomic grouping. ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... In botanical nomenclature, a type (typus, nomenclatural type) is that element to which the name of a taxon is permanently attached . ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... In zoology, as in other branches of biology, subspecies is the rank immediately subordinate to a species. ... A taxon (plural taxa) is an element of a taxonomy, e. ... In biology, a genus (plural genera) is a taxonomic grouping. ... Binomial name Darlingtonia californica Torr. ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... Zoology is the biological discipline which involves the study of non-human animals. ... A taxon (plural taxa), or taxonomic unit, is a grouping of organisms (named or unnamed). ... A taxon (plural taxa), or taxonomic unit, is a grouping of organisms (named or unnamed). ... In biology, a genus (plural genera) is a taxonomic grouping. ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... A taxon (plural taxa), or taxonomic unit, is a grouping of organisms (named or unnamed). ... A taxon (plural taxa), or taxonomic unit, is a grouping of organisms (named or unnamed). ... In biology, a genus (plural genera) is a taxonomic grouping. ... In biology, a genus (plural genera) is a taxonomic grouping. ... Species Tarsius syrichta Tarsius bancanus Tarsius spectrum Tarsius dianae Tarsius pelengensis Tarsius sangirensis Tarsius pumilus Tarsiers (family Tarsiidae, genus Tarsius) are a genus of prosimian primates, previously classified as strepsirhines, but now classified as haplorhines, though still not considered to be monkeys. ... Species Tarsius syrichta Tarsius bancanus Tarsius spectrum Tarsius dianae Tarsius pelengensis Tarsius sangirensis Tarsius pumilus Tarsiers (family Tarsiidae, genus Tarsius) are a genus of prosimian primates, previously classified as strepsirhines, but now classified as haplorhines, though still not considered to be monkeys. ... Species Tarsius syrichta Tarsius bancanus Tarsius spectrum Tarsius dianae Tarsius pelengensis Tarsius sangirensis Tarsius pumilus Tarsiers (family Tarsiidae, genus Tarsius) are a genus of prosimian primates, previously classified as strepsirhines, but now classified as haplorhines, though still not considered to be monkeys. ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... Binomial name Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus (Latham, 1790) The Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is the largest species in the macaw family. ... A taxon (plural taxa), or taxonomic unit, is a grouping of organisms (named or unnamed). ... A taxon (plural taxa) is an element of a taxonomy, e. ... In zoology, as in other branches of biology, subspecies is the rank immediately subordinate to a species. ... Binomial name Amazona farinosa (Boddaert, 1783) The Mealy Parrot (Amazona farinosa), commonly known as the Mealy Amazon in the United States, is one of the largest Amazon parrots. ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... A taxon (plural taxa) is an element of a taxonomy, e. ... In zoology, as in other branches of biology, subspecies is the rank immediately subordinate to a species. ...

Cited references

1. ^ Mayr E, Ashlock PD. 1991. Principles of Systematic Zoology. Second Edition. Published by McGraw-Hill, inc. ISBN 0-07-041144-1.

See also

• polytypic
• race for a more detailed definition of monotypic in the context of a species, and its relevance regarding the species Homo sapiens