Cryptic species could represent a substantial fraction of biodiversity. However, inconsistent definitions and taxonomic treatment of cryptic species prevent informed estimates of their contribution to biodiversity and impede our understanding of their evolutionary and ecological significance. We propose a conceptual framework that recognizes cryptic species based on their low levels of phenotypic (morphological) disparity relative to their degree of genetic differentiation and divergence times as compared with non-cryptic species. We discuss how application of a more rigorous definition of cryptic species in taxonomic practice will lead to more accurate estimates of their prevalence in nature, better understanding of their distribution patterns on the tree of life, and increased abilities to resolve the processes underlying their evolution.

隐性物种可能占生物多样性的很大一部分。但是，对隐性物种的定义和分类处理不一致，就无法对它们对生物多样性的贡献做出有根据的估计，并妨碍了我们对它们的进化和生态学意义的理解。我们提出了一个概念框架，该框架基于与非隐性物种相比其相对较低的表型（形态）差异相对于其遗传分化程度和发散时间的低水平表型（形态）差异。我们讨论了在分类实践中应用更严格的隐性物种定义将如何更准确地估计它们在自然界中的流行程度，更好地了解它们在生命树上的分布方式，以及增强解决其进化过程的能力。