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In zoology, a Taxon is usually assigned to a ''rank'' in a hierarchy. The ICZN divides names in "family-group names", "genus group-names" and "species-group names". The ''ICZN'' explicitly mentions:



- - - superfamily

''family''

- - - subfamily

- - - tribe

- - - subtribe



''genus''

- - - subgenus



''species''

- - - subspecies



The rules in the 'Code' of the ''ICZN'' apply to the ranks of superfamily to subspecies, and only to some extent to those above the rank of superfamily. In the "genus group" and "species group" no further ranks are allowed. In practise, additional ranks such as species group, '''species subgroup''', and '''species complex''' are sometimes added as extra, but unofficial, ranks between the subgenus and super species levels in Taxa with many species (e.g. the genus '' Drosophila '').


Names of zoological taxa

  • a taxon above the rank of species gets a scientific name in one part (a uninominal name)

  • a species (a taxon at the rank of species) gets a name composed of two names (a binominal name or + Specific Name ; for example '' Homo Sapiens '')

  • a subspecies (a taxon at the rank of subspecies) gets a name composed of three names (a trinominal name or + Specific Name + Subspecific Name ; for example ''Felis silvestris catus'', the House Cat ). As there is only one rank below that of species no connecting term to indicate rank is used.



SEE ALSO