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: A taxon (plural taxa), or taxonomic unit, is a grouping of organisms (named or unnamed). ... The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) is a set of rules in zoology that have one fundamental aim: to provide the maximum universality and continuity in classifying all animals according to taxonomic judgment. ...

- - - 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). A taxon (plural taxa) is an element of a taxonomy, e. ... Type Species Musca funebris Fabricius, 1787 Species Many; see text. ...

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)
• 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). As there is only one rank below that of species no connecting term to indicate rank is used.

In zoology, a binomen, or binominal name, is the name of a species. ... In biological nomenclature, a generic name or the name of a genus (sometimes genus name) is the name of a genus. ... In zoological nomenclature, a specific name is the second part (second name) in the name of a species (a binomen). ... In zoology, a trinomen, or trinominal name, refers to the name of a subspecies. ... In biological nomenclature, a generic name or the name of a genus (sometimes genus name) is the name of a genus. ... In zoological nomenclature, a specific name is the second part (second name) in the name of a species (a binomen). ... In zoology, a subspecific name is the third part of a trinomen. ...

See also

• ICZN
• rank (botany)