Rank (zoology) Article Index for
Rank
 

Information About

Rank (zoology)







- - - 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. Among zoologists, additional ranks such as species group, '''species subgroup''', '''species complex''' and '''superspecies''' are sometimes used for convenience as extra, but unofficial, ranks between the subgenus and species levels in Taxa with many species (e.g. the genus '' Drosophila '').

Ranks of taxa at lower levels may be denoted in their groups by adding the prefix "''infra''," meaning ''lower'', to the rank. For example ''infra''species or ''infra''subspecies. Infraspecific taxa then include all divisions of the species into subspecies or lower taxa.


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 '' Panthera Leo '')

  • 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