Discontinuous variability

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In biology , discontinuous variability (discontinuous: interrupted, incoherent) is the development of a characteristic in a group of individuals whose range of variation is not linked by seamless transitions, but is divided into two or more clearly separated classes.

For example, the flowers of the Chinese primrose turn white at a temperature of over 30 ° C, and red at a temperature below this (a polyphenism ). With continuous variability, all color transitions from white to different shades of pink to red would be realized.

Discontinuous variability of characteristics is an important basis for the delimitation of taxa such as species in biological systematics.

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  • G. Czihak, H. Langer, H. Ziegler: Biology: A textbook for students of biology. Springer-Verlag, 2013. ISBN 978-3-642-96095-6 , on page 813.