Cryptic species complex

In biology, a cryptic species complex is a group of species which satisfy the biological definition of species, that is, they are reproductively isolated from each other, but they are not morphologically distinguishable (or at least are not readily or reliably distinguishable on a morphological basis).

The individual species within the complex can usually only be separated using non-morphological data, such as from DNA sequence analysis, bioacoustics, or thorough life history studies. They can, but need not be, parapatric, quite often are sympatric, and sometimes allopatric.

Examples:

• Gray-cheeked thrush and Bicknell's Thrush
• tapaculos
• Two-barred Flasher (suspected)

A related concept is the superspecies. This is a group of at least two more or less distinctive species with approximately parapatric distributions. Not all cryptic species complexes are superspecies, and vice versa, but many are. A superspecies consisting of two sister species is called a species pair.

Examples:

• Puffinus puffinus group of shearwaters - not a superspecies, but the P. yelkouan group formerly contained therein is indeed one.
• Phylloscopus collybita group of leaf warblers
• tapaculos

See also

• Ring species

External links

• Shellee Morehead, Jon Seger, Don Feener and Brian Brown, A cryptic species complex in the ant parasitoid Apocephalus paraponerae (Diptera: Phoridae)

Pnemonic for the major headings of taxonomic classification

Life Domain Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
Loud Debate Kills Polite Conversation Of Four Gentle Speakers

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