gophmunk
A theoretical cross-breed between a gopher and chipmunk discussed in philosophy of science courses in the U.S. state of Minnesota. See Meehl, 1992, pg. 121 for an explanation.
Reference:
Meehl, P. E. (1992). Factors and taxa, traits and types, differences of degree and differences in kind. Journal of personality, 60(1), 117-174.
Reference:
Meehl, P. E. (1992). Factors and taxa, traits and types, differences of degree and differences in kind. Journal of personality, 60(1), 117-174.
There are chipmunks, there are gophers, but there are no gophmunks. Hence, biological taxa exist to some extent, and we might use quantitative variables to identify a particular taxon.