Subphylum

Subphylum is a taxonomic rank in the biological classification system, which is used to classify organisms. It is a rank below the phylum and above the class level. The subphylum is an important category in the hierarchy of biological classification, providing a way to group organisms that share a more specific set of characteristics than those grouped at the phylum level.

Classification

In the Linnaean taxonomy system, the hierarchy of biological classification is as follows:

• Domain
• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Subphylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species

Examples of Subphyla

Different phyla in the animal kingdom have various subphyla. Some examples include:

• Chordata: This phylum includes the subphyla Vertebrata, Cephalochordata, and Urochordata.
• Arthropoda: This phylum includes the subphyla Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea, and Hexapoda.
• Mollusca: This phylum includes the subphyla Conchifera and Aculifera.

Importance in Biological Classification

The subphylum rank is crucial for understanding the evolutionary relationships and characteristics shared by a group of organisms. It helps biologists and researchers to categorize and study organisms in a more detailed and organized manner. By examining the traits and genetic information of organisms within a subphylum, scientists can gain insights into their evolutionary history and ecological roles.

Related Pages

• Taxonomy (biology)
• Phylum
• Class (biology)
• Order (biology)
• Family (biology)
• Genus
• Species
• Linnaean taxonomy
• Evolutionary biology