BioConcepts

morphospeciesMorphospezies (ger.)

• A group of organisms that are morphologically distinct from other organisms.
  category species

  1953

  A group of specimens which is considered sufficiently different morphologically from the most closely related forms known, to be given a specific name […] [For this meaning] may be used the term[…] morphospecies

  Cain, A.J. (1953). Geography, ecology and coexistence in relation to the biological definition of species. Evolution 7, 76-83: 82; cf. id. (1954). Animal Species and their Evolution: 60.

  1956

  The morphospecies (morphological species) as a “group of specimens which is considered different morphologically from the most closely related forms known”, or more narrowly as a species “established solely on morphological evidence”, is not in itself essentially different from a chronospecies or a biospecies, both of which use morphology as a guide to relationship (the chronospecies in particular being founded solely on the biometrical integration of morphological data). It is a commonplace that in fact almost all species of whatever kind are morphological species in greater or lesser degree.

  George, T.N. (1956). Biospecies, chronospecies and morphospecies. In: Sylvester-Bradley, P.C. (ed.). The Species Concept in Paleontology, 123-137: 134.
  

  1956

  A morphospecies in palaeontology is a species which is defined on morphological characters and in this respect at least resembles both biospecies and chronospecies, since they too are largely or completely based on morphological criteria.

  Thomas, G. (1956). The species conflict – abstractions and their applicability. In: Sylvester-Bradley, P.C. (ed.). The Species Concept in Paleontology, 17-31: 22.
  

  1959

  Morphospezies

  Cain A.J. (1959). Die Tierarten und ihre Entwicklung (transl. by D. Ohm): 164.

  1982

  morphospecies A species established solely on morphological characters.

  Lincoln, R.J., Boxshall, G.A. & Clark, P.F. (1982). A Dictionary of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics: 160.