superphylum
Noun: 1. (Biology) A taxonomic rank in biological classification that is higher than a phylum and lower than a subkingdom or kingdom. It is used to group together phyla that share a fundamental body plan or other major evolutionary characteristics.
The term "superphylum" is used in scientific taxonomy to describe a major grouping of life forms. * In modern cladistics, the concept of a superphylum is often analogous to an unranked clade. * It is a formal rank in some taxonomic schemes, particularly for classifying certain invertebrate animals.
- The superphylum Ecdysozoa includes arthropods, nematodes, and several other phyla that molt their exoskeleton.
- Biologists proposed a new superphylum to encompass the Lophophorate phyla based on molecular data.
- The precise definition and usage of the rank superphylum can vary between different classification systems.
- The term is part of a hierarchy of taxonomic ranks. For example, a kingdom may be divided into superphyla, which are then divided into phyla.
- "Superphylum" is a key term in discussions of metazoan (animal) phylogeny, such as the grouping of Deuterostomia or Protostomia.
- Phylum (n): The primary taxonomic rank below kingdom and above class. A superphylum contains multiple phyla.
- Subphylum (n): The taxonomic rank immediately below a phylum.
- Clade (n): A group of organisms believed to have evolved from a common ancestor. A superphylum often represents a major clade.
- Major clade (in a cladistic context)
- Taxonomic group (general)
The use of "superphylum" is specific to biological taxonomy. It does not have common metaphorical or everyday meanings outside of this scientific context. Its application is contingent upon the chosen classification system.
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(biology) a taxonomic group ranking between a phylum and below a class or subclass
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