Circinae

Circinae is a taxonomic name that has appeared in zoological classifications as a subfamily designation, though its precise circumscription has varied across classifications and time. The term has been used in more than one group of invertebrates, including Lepidoptera and crustaceans, but there is no single, universally accepted definition that binds all uses of Circinae.

In the history of taxonomy, Circinae has sometimes been proposed as a subfamily within a larger family, or as a rank analogous to a tribe in other schemes. Later revisions have often treated Circinae as a synonym of another subfamily, or discarded it as a valid grouping altogether. Because the composition has differed by authority and period, modern databases rarely treat Circinae as a stable, valid taxon.

As a result, there is no universal set of diagnostic characters associated with Circinae. Any morphological or molecular features cited as defining the group are contingent on the context of a particular classification and do not represent a general, cross-group diagnosis.

Current use: Circinae is generally considered historical or ambiguous in contemporary taxonomy. When encountered in literature, it is important to consult the author’s taxonomic framework to determine whether Circinae is being used as a formal rank, a synonym, or a misapplied name.

See also: Taxonomy, Nomenclature, Subfamily.