Rank (zoology)
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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 binomen : generic name + 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 trinomen : generic name + 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
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