Monotypic taxon

The biological technical term monotypic ( gr μόνος, Monos "alone" and typical) states that only one type occurs within a group ( taxon ) in biological systematics. There is thus, for example, monotypic families, genera, subgenera, etc.

In zoology a family is referred to a single genus that contains multiple species as monotypic, as the genus is the type for a family. In botany, the term is, however, monotypic narrower, the family is not here monotypic, because it contains multiple, determined by species type specimens. One speaks in botany in this case, therefore, of a mono- generic family.

The hierarchy levels in biological taxonomy (eg genus or family) are usually introduced to a group of organisms that possess a number of features to summarize. Species that are very specific, are often classified in their own genera, families or even higher taxa. Such a group is then called monotypic order to emphasize their special status.

The highest monotypic taxon represent the Nanoarchaeota, a separate department of archaea with the only kind Nanoarchaeum equitans. A monotypic tribe are the Micrognathozoa with the single, in 2000, discovered species Limnognathia maerski.

Monotypic groups are also in regard to the protection of species of importance. The extinction of a species that has no close relatives, is a particularly big loss.

The monotypic genera include, for example, the ginkgo, the Norne and the platypus. Humans (Homo sapiens ) is the only extant species of the genus Homo.

Mono Typical stock

One type forms a monotypic stock in a habitat, if it prevents the emergence of other species in an area. This is often the case with invasive species that spread in a new distribution area without the presence of their natural enemies or competitors.