In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group which contains only one immediately subordinate taxon.^[1][2] Although the phrase appears to indicate that a taxon has a single type specimen (with no syntypes, lectotypes, or other types), this is not the usage.

An example is the family Cephalotaceae, with only one genus, Cephalotus, and only one species: Cephalotus follicularis, the Albany Pitcher Plant.

In the case of monotypic genera, the term unispecific is sometimes preferred.

A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies (or other infraspecific taxa).

The term's usage differs slightly between taxonomy and conservation biology.

In taxonomy [edit]

One can also say that the contained taxon is monotypic within the larger taxon; a genus monotypic within a family.

• The genus Tarsius is monotypic within the family Tarsiidae, which is itself monotypic in the Tarsiiformes.
• The Hyacinth Macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is a monotypic species; no subspecies have been distinguished within the species.
• The Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus) has a few subspecies across its range, but belongs to the genus Panurus which current knowledge considers monotypic (the only genus) within the family Panuridae.

Conservation biology [edit]

In conservation biology, a monotypic habitat is a habitat that is dominated by a single species, often an invasive one, at the expense of biodiversity.^[3]

The monotypic habitat occurs in botanical and zoological contexts. In restoration ecology of native plant communities or habitats, some invasive species create monotypic stands that replace and/or prevent other species, especially indigenous ones, from growing there. A dominant colonization can occur from retardant chemicals exuded, nutrient monopolization, or from lack of natural controls such as herbivores or climate, that keep them in balance with their native habitats.

• A botanical example of a monotypic habitat is that of the yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis, which currently dominates over 15,000,000 acres (61,000 km²) in California alone.^[4][5]
• A zoological example of a monotypic habitat is created by the non-native freshwater zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, which colonizes areas of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. A single female can produce upwards of one million eggs per year – without its home-range predator control, it thus chokes out competing flora.

See also [edit]

Biology portal

• Monospecific
• Polytypic
• Race (classification of human beings) (a more detailed definition of monotypes in the context of humans, Homo sapiens)
• Conservation biology
• Category:Monotypic genera

References [edit]