also: いぞんしゅ
noun
relict species
Biology term for a species that persists in a limited area while its relatives have become extinct or more widespread.
この地域には氷河期の遺存種が生息している。
Relict species from the ice age inhabit this region.
Living fossil; a more colloquial term for ancient species that have survived unchanged, while 遺存種 is a technical biology term.
Compound of 遺存 (izon, 'remnant, survival') and 種 (shu, 'species'). The reading いそんしゅ reflects the common pronunciation of 遺存, while いぞんしゅ is a voiced variant.