In taxonomy, a
segregate, or a segregate taxon is created when a taxon is split
off, from another taxon. This other taxon is often variable and
can be split appropriately into a series of segregate species
that can be separated using diagnostic characters. The main
taxon is usually bigger, and will continue to exist, even after
the segregate taxon has been split off.
Former ‘segregates’ (separate species) now included in the taxon
concept (i.e. true taxonomic synonyms)
- Can include other names for
the same segregates in a different genus or at a different
rank (e.g. as subspecies) - i.e. homotypic synonyms of the
segregate.
- Can include ‘author variants’
of the segregate name or the segregate synonyms above.
- Can include published or
widely used orthographic variants (misspellings) of the
segregate name or segregate synonyms.
To be validly published, a new
taxon name must have a type. A segregate taxon is one that has
been split from another for taxonomic reasons. As a unit, the
taxon varies greatly in number and distinctiveness. If a
segregate is generally accepted as a 'good' taxon it ceases to
be a segregate. Thus, this is a way of indicating change in the
taxonomic status. It should not be confused with, for example,
the subdivision of a genus into subgenera.
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