Question

How is a subspecies different from a species?

Answer 1

short definition:

a species is a population or groups of populations that can potentially interbreed freely within and among themselves.

Subspecies, are subgroups within a species that have different traits

long definition

A species is a group of organisms that (in the case of sexually reproducing organisms) can freely interbreed, producing fertile offspring. This definition has its problems, but overall, it encompasses the meaning of the word “species” in biology.

A subspecies is, as the name implies, a smaller population within a species that share a particular common trait. Usually a sub species is at least partially genetically isolated from it’s parent species, so that interbreeding is less likely to occur. Most often a sub species is physically separated from the rest of the species, and may have some specific physical differences from the rest of the species. However, they are still able to interbreed with members of the parent population.