cenospecies

noun

ce·​no·​species
variants or coenospecies
¦sēnə,
¦senə+
1
: the sum of the possible expressions of a complex genotype
2
: a group of biological units (as varieties, subspecies, and ecospecies) that is capable by reason of closely related genotypes of essentially free gene interchange between units, is rarely capable of such interchange with units not part of the group, and is typically more or less equivalent to the taxonomic subgenus or superspecies in scope

Word History

Etymology

coen- + species

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Cite this Entry

“Cenospecies.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cenospecies. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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