User:Abbyhudak/sandbox

Ecologists describe distinct populations as ecotypes rather than subspecies which could also be labeled as a variety, such as in plant taxonomy, or geographic race. Ecotype describes variation in an overlapping geographic ranges rather than non-overlapping ranges as described in varieties and geographic races. Ecotypes may be defined as being in the same geographic range, but they are located in different habitats within the range due to morphological and physiological characteristics that have allowed them to adapt to distinct habitats.

Riddle, Brett R. "Speciation and Extinction." Biogeography. By James H. Brown and Mark V. Lomolino. 3rd ed. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates, 2010. 215. Print.