Definitions for "Flagship species"
also referred to as 'icon species', they are species which have public appeal, promotional and publicity value which can be harnessed to increase support for their conservation as well as other taxa.
a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause
a species where actions to assist in that particular species' recovery have maximum flow-on benefits for other species who make up part of the same 'ecological community'