Race (biology)

In biology, races are distinct populations within the same species with relatively small morphological and genetic differences.^[1]

The populations are ecological races if they arise from adaptation to different local habitats or geographic races when they are geographically isolated.

If sufficiently different, two or more races may be described as subspecies, which is an official biological taxonomy unit below 'species'.

If not, they are called races, which means that a formal rank should not be given to the group, or taxonomists are unsure whether or not a formal rank should be given.

According to Ernst Mayr, "a subspecies is a geographic race that is sufficiently different taxonomically to be worthy of a separate name" ^[2]^[3]

↑ Abercrombie M. and others 1990. The Penguin dictionary of biology. London: Penguin Books, entry Infraspecific variation. ISBN 0-14-051177-6
↑ Ernst Mayr (1970). Populations, species, and evolution : an abridgment of Animal species and evolution. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press. ISBN 0-674-69013-3.
↑ Mayr, Ernst 2002. The biology of race and the concept of equality. Daedalus, Winter 2002, 89-94. [1] Archived 2011-05-26 at the Wayback Machine

[Aber-1] Abercrombie M. and others 1990. The Penguin dictionary of biology. London: Penguin Books, entry Infraspecific variation. ISBN 0-14-051177-6

[2] Ernst Mayr (1970). Populations, species, and evolution : an abridgment of Animal species and evolution. Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press. ISBN 0-674-69013-3.

[3] Mayr, Ernst 2002. The biology of race and the concept of equality. Daedalus, Winter 2002, 89-94. [1] Archived 2011-05-26 at the Wayback Machine

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