Species

Species is one of the seven taxonomic ranks used to classify living organisms. A species can be defined as a group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

Historically speaking, species are described by taxonomists and what's called a Type specimen is catalogued and kept in a museum or other collection where scientists can access it. The Type specimen can be compared with other specimens to determine if they belong to the same species.

In modern taxonomy scientists now consider a species to be a group of evolving organisms and have moved away from the idea of a historical Type specimen representing the form of a species.

Related terms

• Binomial naming system
• Biological classification
• Class
• Conspecific
• Cryptic speciation
• Genus
• Kingdom
• Linnaeus
• Order
• Phylum
• Subspecies
• Taxonomy
• Type specimen

Related groups of terms

• Classification
• General biology

Related pages on this web site

• Insect classification

See other words beginning with S