Subspecies

In biological classification, subspecies are groups within a species that live in different areas and look slightly different in size, shape, or other physical traits, but they can still have babies together. Not every species has subspecies, but when they do, there must be at least two different groups. We shorten “subspecies” to subsp. or ssp. and the same word is used for one group or many groups.

In animal science, called zoology, a subspecies is the only group name below a species that can have its own special name, according to special rules called the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. For plants and fungi, there are other group names that scientists can use, following different rules called the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants.

Scientists decide if a group should be called a subspecies. One way they decide is by seeing if the groups can have babies together, even if some of the baby boys might not be able to have babies of their own later. In nature, subspecies usually don’t have babies together because they live far apart or because of geographic isolation. The looks and actions between subspecies are usually not as different as the looks and actions between full species.

Nomenclature

The scientific name of a species is made up of two Latin words: the first is the genus and the second is the species name. When scientists talk about a subspecies, they add a third name. For example, the leopard is called Panthera pardus, but a subspecies, the Indian leopard, is called Panthera pardus fusca. All these names are written in italics.

In plants, subspecies are one of several smaller groups below a species. To show it is a subspecies, the name is written as "subspecies" or its short form "subsp." For example, Schoenoplectus californicus subsp. tatora.

In bacteria, subspecies is also used, and it is shortened to "subsp." as well, like in Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii.

Criteria

A subspecies is a group that is smaller than a full species. It is used when animals or plants living in different places look a little different but can still have babies together. For example, if two groups of the same kind of bird live far apart and one group has slightly bigger beaks, they might be called different subspecies.

Scientists who study plants and fungi sometimes use other names instead of subspecies for even smaller differences, like "variety" or "form."

Monotypic and polytypic species

In nature, some animal groups have many different types that look or act a little differently but can still have babies together. We call these different types "subspecies." When a group has two or more of these types, we call it a "polytypic species."

Other animal groups have only one main type, with all members looking very similar. We call these "monotypic species." Sometimes, even if members look different, they blend so smoothly into each other that we still consider them one type. This usually happens when animals can still mix and have babies together.