Subspecies

A subspecies is a color swap for a monster. These monsters are usually named for their new color—for example, Blue Yian Kut-Ku is a subspecies of Yian Kut-Ku. The only exceptions to this are Giaprey and Giadrome, which appear to be color swaps of Velociprey and Velocidrome respectively. Subspecies are usually nearly identical to their original monsters, but possess increased stamina, have altered weaknesses, and yield different carves. They may also occasionally have a new attack, such as the Red Khezu's "neck swing" or the lightning attacks of the White Fatalis. Certain subspecies do in fact include changes to the model, such as the beard and larger hair spike on the Emerald Congalala, or the Diablos shell on the Plum Daimyo Hermitaur.

=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
 * Ash-lao-shan-lung

Monster Hunter Portable 3rd

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

Monster Hunter 3 G

 * Lagiacrus Subspecies

Monster Hunter Frontier

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

=Comparisons=

Bird Wyverns
=Brute Wyvern=

Although most alternately-colored monsters are simply subspecies of the original, several have different in-game explanations.

Trivia

 * Most first generation Monster and Frontier monster Subspecies are named by its colors.
 * Most of second generation monster Subspecies are named 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.
 * A Golden Rajang is actually not a subspecies. It is an ordinary Rajang that looks almost golden while calm, and shows its Electric Aura in Rage mode.
 * There are no alternate colors of monsters in Monster Hunter 3 Tri.
 * Diablos and Monoblos can be considerred as subspecies of each other.