Ecotype

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Within a species, an ecotype is a genetically unique population that is adapted to its local environment.^[1] For example it is commonly accepted that the Tucuxi dolphin has two ecotypes - the riverine ecotype found in some South American rivers and the pelagic ecotype found in the South Atlantic Ocean. Similarly, it is accepted that the Bottlenose Dolphin has two ecotypes in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The term ecotype was coined in 1922 by Swedish botanist Göte Turesson.^{[citation needed]}

An ecotype, as such, has no formal taxonomic standing: also see chemotype.

[edit] See also

• Ecocline
• Subspecies
• Transplant experiment

[edit] References

1. ^ Molles, Manuel C., Jr. (2005). Ecology: Concepts and Applications, 3rd edition, New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., p. 201. ISBN 0-07-243969-6.