Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

monotypic

Adjective
ˌmɒnəˈtaɪpɪk
Definition
Referring to a taxonomic group or category that contains only one representative or species.
Examples
  • The genus is considered monotypic because it includes only a single species.
  • Monotypic families often attract attention in conservation due to their rarity.
  • In botany, a monotypic clade may signify a lineage without any relatives.
Meaning
The term monotypic indicates that a certain category, like a genus, includes just one species and no others.
Synonyms
  • single-species
  • unsplit
  • mono-specific