subspecific

Subspecific is an adjective used in biology to describe anything pertaining to a subspecies, a population within a species that has distinct, heritable traits and usually a distinct geographic range. Subspecific variation refers to the diversity observed within a species across its range.

Subspecies are a taxonomic rank below species. In zoological nomenclature, organisms with trinomial names indicate subspecies, such as Panthera tigris altaica (Siberian tiger) or Canis lupus familiaris (domestic dog) when treated as a subspecies of Canis lupus. In botanical contexts, infraspecific ranks include subspecies, varieties, and forms, and the term subspecific can describe characteristics distinguishing these groups.

The use of subspecies and the term subspecific varies among groups and authorities. Some taxonomists emphasize the biological reality of distinct populations with limited gene flow, while others caution against over-splitting species. The term subspecific is sometimes used to describe variation or traits associated with a subspecies, rather than to denote a separate rank itself.

When a population is formally named as a subspecies, the trinomial nomenclature reflects two levels of hierarchy below genus. Subspecific designations can aid conservation, ecology, and evolutionary studies by highlighting regional adaptation. See also subspecies, taxonomy, trinomial nomenclature.