Difference between revisions of "Taxon"
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A broad scheme of ranks in hierarchical order: | A broad scheme of ranks in hierarchical order: | ||
| − | + | * [[Kingdom (biology)|Kingdom]] | |
| − | + | * [[Phylum (biology)|Phylum]] (animals or plants) or [[Division (botany)|Division]] (plants) | |
| − | + | * [[Class (biology)|Class]] | |
| − | + | * [[Order (biology)|Order]] | |
| − | + | * [[Family (biology)|Family]] | |
| − | + | * [[Genus]] | |
| − | + | * [[Species]] | |
| − | + | * [[Subspecies]] | |
A prefix is used to indicate a ranking of lesser importance. The prefix ''super-'' indicates a rank above, the prefix ''sub-'' indicates a rank below. In zoology the prefix ''infra-'' indicates a rank below ''sub-''. For instance: | A prefix is used to indicate a ranking of lesser importance. The prefix ''super-'' indicates a rank above, the prefix ''sub-'' indicates a rank below. In zoology the prefix ''infra-'' indicates a rank below ''sub-''. For instance: | ||
| − | + | * Superclass | |
| − | + | * Class | |
| − | + | * Subclass | |
| − | + | * Infraclass | |
Do note that rank is relative, and restricted to the particular scheme used. For example, [[liverworts]] have been grouped, in various systems of classification, as a family, order, or a class. The use of ranks is challenged by users of [[cladistics]] and has led to the [[PhyloCode]] being proposed. | Do note that rank is relative, and restricted to the particular scheme used. For example, [[liverworts]] have been grouped, in various systems of classification, as a family, order, or a class. The use of ranks is challenged by users of [[cladistics]] and has led to the [[PhyloCode]] being proposed. | ||
[[Category:Academic Research]] | [[Category:Academic Research]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Phylogenetics]] | ||
Revision as of 20:16, 30 December 2005
A taxon (plural taxa), or taxonomic unit, is a grouping of organisms (named or unnamed). Once named, a taxon will usually have a rank and can be placed at a particular level in a hierarchy.
A broad scheme of ranks in hierarchical order:
A prefix is used to indicate a ranking of lesser importance. The prefix super- indicates a rank above, the prefix sub- indicates a rank below. In zoology the prefix infra- indicates a rank below sub-. For instance:
- Superclass
- Class
- Subclass
- Infraclass
Do note that rank is relative, and restricted to the particular scheme used. For example, liverworts have been grouped, in various systems of classification, as a family, order, or a class. The use of ranks is challenged by users of cladistics and has led to the PhyloCode being proposed.
