Suborder: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฌ
suborder
[ sสbหษrdษr ]
biological classification
A suborder is a rank in the biological classification (taxonomy) system that is nested between the order and the family. Suborders are used to further categorize organisms within an order, highlighting differences and characteristics that are significant within that larger classification. In zoological classifications, suborders are often utilized to specify groups of species that share a common ancestor. The use of suborders helps biologists and taxonomists systematize the vast diversity of life forms, making it easier to study and understand evolutionary relationships.
Synonyms
secondary order, subclass, subdivision.
Examples of usage
- The canids belong to the suborder Caniformia.
- In the classification of flowering plants, the suborder Rosidales is significant.
- Whales fall under the suborder Odontoceti.
- The suborder Anomura includes various crabs and shrimp.
- Insectivores are categorized under the suborder Eutheria.
Translations
Translations of the word "suborder" in other languages:
๐ต๐น subordem
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคชเคเฅเคฐเคฎ
๐ฉ๐ช Unterordnung
๐ฎ๐ฉ subordo
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟัะดััะด
๐ต๐ฑ podporzฤ dkowanie
๐ฏ๐ต ไบ็ฎ
๐ซ๐ท sous-ordre
๐ช๐ธ suborden
๐น๐ท alt sฤฑralama
๐ฐ๐ท ํ์ ๋ถ๋ฅ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุชุฑุชูุจ ูุฑุนู
๐จ๐ฟ podลรกd
๐ธ๐ฐ podrad
๐จ๐ณ ไบ็ฎ
๐ธ๐ฎ podred
๐ฎ๐ธ undirflokkur
๐ฐ๐ฟ าะพััะผัะฐ
๐ฌ๐ช แฅแแแฌแแ แแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ alt sฤฑralama
๐ฒ๐ฝ suborden
Etymology
The word 'suborder' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'sub-', meaning 'under' or 'below', and the word 'order', which relates to a rank or classification. In biological taxonomy, 'order' is a higher classification rank that groups related families of organisms, and 'suborder' denotes a level that is beneath this primary classification. The usage of the term in a scientific context emerged in the 19th century as taxonomists began developing more detailed categorizations of living organisms. The increasing complexity of life forms and the need for precise scientific communication drove the establishment of suborders as a means to clarify relationships and arrange species more systematically. This hierarchical approach supports evolutionary biology by illustrating how diverse species may have evolved from common ancestors.