polytypic

[ pol-ee-tip-ik ]

adjective

1. having or involving many or several types.

polytypic

/ ˌpɒlɪˈtɪpɪk /

adjective

1. existing in, consisting of, or incorporating several different types or forms
2. biology (of a taxonomic group) having many subdivisions, esp (of a species) having many subspecies and geographical races

polytypic

/ pŏl′ē-tĭp′ĭk /

1. Having several variant forms, especially containing more than one taxonomic category of the next lower rank. A polytypic genus contains two or more different species, while a polytypic species consists of two or more subspecies.
2. Compare monotypic

Word History and Origins

Origin of polytypic¹

First recorded in 1885–90; poly- + type ( def ) + -ic ( def )

Example Sentences

Furthermore, this isn’t the end of it, since they noted that their study was not a revision of the entire species complex but merely an initial demonstration of ‘P. plica’s’ polytypic status.

From Scientific American

Put together, Mayr said, these various practical and theoretical considerations dictated that every one of the human fossils known should be placed within a single evolving polytypic lineage.

From Scientific American

Two Recent species, each polytypic with eight subspecies, and five fossil species are recognized.

From Project Gutenberg

That natural selection differs from most of the other forms of isolation in not being capable of causing divergent or polytypic evolution must at once become evident, if we remember that the only way in which isolation of any form can cause such evolution is by partitioning a given group of intergenerants into two or more groups, each of which is able to survive as thus separated from the other, and so to carry on the evolution in divergent lines.

From Project Gutenberg

In order to secure polytypic evolution, intercrossing between the different beneficial variants which may arise must be prevented; and there is nothing to prevent such intercrossing in the process of natural selection per se.

From Project Gutenberg