Subspecies

A subspecies is an alternate version of a monster. These monsters are usually named for their new color—for example, Blue Yian Kut-Ku is a subspecies of Yian Kut-Ku. Subspecies are usually nearly identical to their original monsters, as, after all, they are the same species. However, they usually possess increased health and stamina, have altered weaknesses, and yield different carves.

Subspecies often sport new attacks and movement patterns, such as the Red Khezu's "neck swing" or the lightning attacks of the White Fatalis. Certain subspecies do in fact have altered physical features, such as the beard and larger hair spike on the Emerald Congalala, or the Diablos shell on the Plum Daimyo Hermitaur.

Sometimes a Subspecies may also be considered a 'Rare' species; this is the case for Gold Rathian, Silver Rathalos, Lagiacrus Rare Species and Nargacuga Rare Species. These monsters are normally vastly more powerful than their original counterparts, but far rarer.

=List of subspecies by game=

Monster Hunter Freedom

 * Blue Yian Kut-Ku
 * Purple Gypceros
 * Azure Rathalos
 * Silver Rathalos
 * Pink Rathian
 * Gold Rathian
 * Green Plesioth
 * White Monoblos
 * Black Diablos
 * Red Khezu
 * Black Gravios
 * Azure Lao-Shan Lung
 * Crimson Fatalis

Monster Hunter Freedom 2

 * White Fatalis

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

 * Plum Daimyo Hermitaur
 * Emerald Congalala
 * Terra Shogun Ceanataur
 * Copper Blangonga

Monster Hunter Portable 3rd

 * Tigrex Subspecies
 * Crimson Qurupeco
 * Jade Barroth
 * Royal Ludroth Subspecies
 * Nargacuga Subspecies
 * Barioth Subspecies
 * Uragaan Subspecies
 * Gigginox Subspecies
 * Agnaktor Subspecies

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

 * Lagiacrus Subspecies
 * Rust Duramboros
 * Stygian Zinogre
 * Jhen Mohran Subspecies
 * Nargacuga Rare Species
 * Lagiacrus Rare Species
 * Ceadeus Subspecies

Monster Hunter Frontier

 * Bright Hypnocatrice
 * Azure Hypnocatrice
 * Red Lavasioth
 * Orange Espinas
 * Akura Jebia
 * White Espinas
 * Doragyurosu
 * Raviente Subspecies
 * Rathian Subspecies

=Comparisons=

Elder Dragon
=Trivia=
 * Most first generation monster Subspecies are named by color.
 * Most second generation monster Subspecies have thier name taken from Jewels and various Metals.
 * The Bright Hypnocatrice is simply a Hypnocatrice which has brightened its feathers for their mating season.
 * Similarly, the Red Lavasioth is a Lavasioth which has turned red for their mating season.
 * Ashen Lao-Shan Lung is an aged Lao-Shan Lung. Its scales are discolored due to exposure to volcanic ash.
 * Golden Rajang is not actually a subspecies. It is an ordinary Rajang that looks almost golden while calm, and shows its Electric Aura in Rage mode. This is the same for the 3rd generation's Deviljho, which G-rank version always has its shoulder muscles red and has its face covered in Dragon, while the normal Deviljho only huffs this element during its rage.
 * There are no subspecies of monsters in Monster Hunter 3.
 * Diablos and Monoblos can be considerred as subspecies of each other.
 * About half of the third generation subspecies don't live in the same environments than their regular counterparts.