Subfamily

For the protein classification, see Protein subfamily.

In biological classification,^[1] a subfamily (Latin: subfamilia, plural subfamiliae) is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end botanical subfamily names with "-oideae",^[2] and zoological subfamily names with "-inae".^[1]

The hierarchy of biological classification's eight major taxonomic ranks. Intermediate minor rankings are not shown.

Detarioideae is an example of a botanical subfamily. Detarioideae is a subdivision of the family Fabaceae (legumes), containing 84 genera.^[3]

Stevardiinae is an example of a zoological subfamily. Stevardiinae is a large subdivision of the family Characidae, a diverse clade of freshwater fish.^[4]

See also

• International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants
• International Code of Zoological Nomenclature
• Rank (botany)
• Rank (zoology)

References

1. International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (1999). "Article 29.2. Suffixes for family-group names". International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (Fourth ed.). International Trust for Zoological Nomenclature, XXIX. p. 306.
2. McNeill, J.; Barrie, F.R.; Buck, W.R.; Demoulin, V.; Greuter, W.; Hawksworth, D.L.; Herendeen, P.S.; Knapp, S.; Marhold, K.; Prado, J.; Prud'homme Van Reine, W.F.; Smith, G.F.; Wiersema, J.H.; Turland, N.J. (2012). International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Melbourne Code) adopted by the Eighteenth International Botanical Congress Melbourne, Australia, July 2011. Vol. Regnum Vegetabile 154. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag KG. ISBN 978-3-87429-425-6. Article 19.
3. de la Estrella, M.; Forest, F.; Klitgard, B.; Lewis, G. P.; Mackinder, B. A.; de Queiroz, L. P.; Wieringa, J. J.; Bruneau, A. (2 May 2018). "A new phylogeny-based tribal classification of subfamily Detarioideae, an early branching clade of florally diverse tropical arborescent legumes". Scientific Reports. 8 (6884): 6884. Bibcode:2018NatSR...8.6884D. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-24687-3. PMC 5932001. PMID 29720687. S2CID 256962983.
4. Thomaz, Andréa T.; Arcila, Dahiana; Ortí, Guillermo; Malabarba, Luiz R. (2015-07-21). "Molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Stevardiinae Gill, 1858 (Characiformes: Characidae): classification and the evolution of reproductive traits". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 15 (1): 146. Bibcode:2015BMCEE..15..146T. doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0403-4. ISSN 1471-2148. PMC 4509481. PMID 26195030.