Biology. In Charles Darwin's terminology: that is found throughout the world; = cosmopolitan, adj. 3. Obsolete.

= cosmopolitan, adj.

Natural History. Widely diffused over the globe; found in all or many countries.

Of an organism or group of organisms: having the ability to disperse or be dispersed in a given environment.

Occurring in the same geographical region, or in overlapping regions. Opposed to allopatric, adj.

Of plants or animals: Having their ordinary habitat in a certain country; opposed to exotic. Now used spec. of plants and animals that are…

Exhibiting or characterized by statistical overdispersion; more unevenly distributed than would be the case if each instance were independent of…

Of species, speciation, etc.: occurring in different, non-overlapping geographical areas. Cf. sympatric, adj.