ecotype

American  

[ek-uh-tahyp, ee-kuh-] / ˈɛk əˌtaɪp, ˈi kə- /

noun

Ecology.

1. a subspecies or race that is especially adapted to a particular set of environmental conditions.

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ecotype British  

/ ˈiːkəˌtaɪp, ˈɛkə-, ˌɛkə-, ˌiːkəˈtɪpɪk /

noun

1. ecology a group of organisms within a species that is adapted to particular environmental conditions and therefore exhibits behavioural, structural, or physiological differences from other members of the species

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ecotype Scientific  

/ ē′kə-tīp′ /

1. A subdivision of an ecospecies, comparable to a subspecies or geographic race and consisting of an isolated population selectively adapted to a particular set of environmental conditions.

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Other Word Forms

• ecotypic adjective
• ecotypically adverb

Etymology

Origin of ecotype

First recorded in 1920–25; eco- + type

Example Sentences

One ecotype, known as transient killer whales, specialize in hunting marine mammals.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2024

You can drill down further to where the plants are sourced, or their ecotype, by asking where the nursery bought their stock.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 26, 2024

Transient orcas, the most common ecotype of killer whales in the North Pacific, hunt pinnipeds — marine mammals with flippers, such as sea lions and harbor seals.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2023

These naturalists educate guests about the social networks of each ecotype.

From Seattle Times • May 8, 2018

The other is that homegrown seed is part of a genetically adapted group — an ecotype — that has evolved to deal with local conditions.

From Washington Post • Jan. 5, 2015