ScienceAugust 21, 2026
endlings
END-lingz
Definition
The final individual member of a particular species or subspecies, after which the species becomes extinct.
Etymology
A modern term coined from the English word 'end' combined with the diminutive suffix '-ling' (denoting something small or of a particular category), popularized in the early 21st century by conservationists.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe animals like the Pinta Island tortoise, noting that if only a single male 'endling' remains, this new cloning technology could potentially help prevent the total extinction of the species.
Gene Editing Technique Produced Fertile Female Clones From Male Mice In "Strange And Fascinating" Experiment That Could Help Endangered Species
Read the full article ↗IFLScience