Itsetyyppinen

Itsetyyppinen is a Finnish term that translates roughly to "self-typical" or "auto-typical." It is primarily used in the field of genetics, particularly when describing a population or species. The concept of itsetyyppinen refers to individuals or groups that exhibit the most common or representative characteristics of their species or population. This means they possess traits that are considered standard or average within their genetic makeup and environment.

When a species or population is described as itsetyyppinen, it suggests that the individuals within it are largely similar to each other, displaying the prevalent genetic and phenotypic traits. This can be contrasted with populations that show significant variation, which might be referred to using different terms or described as exhibiting polymorphism. In ecological studies, understanding which individuals or populations are itsetyyppinen can be important for defining baseline characteristics and for comparing them to populations that might be undergoing adaptation or experiencing genetic drift. The term implies a lack of extreme deviation from the norm.