Liigirühm

Liigirühm is a term used in Estonian biology to refer to a grouping of species that share defining traits, ecological roles or evolutionary relationships. It is a flexible concept rather than a fixed taxonomic rank, and it appears in taxonomy, ecology, and conservation planning as a practical descriptive tool.

In taxonomy, a liigirühm may designate a cluster of species within a genus or family that exhibit shared morphological features or genetic similarities. In ecology, the term is often used to describe functional or ecological guilds—groups of species that exploit similar resources or occupy comparable niches—regardless of close relatedness. In biodiversity surveys and field guides, liigirühmad help simplify communication, data tagging, and comparative analysis by organizing species into manageable groups based on selected criteria.

Etymology: Liigirühm is formed from liigi, the genitive of liiki meaning "species", and rühm meaning "group". The concept is primarily used in Estonian-language texts, but equivalent ideas exist in other languages under terms like "group of species" or "guild".

Limitations: Because it is not a formal classification, definitions of a liigirühm vary among sources. Researchers and practitioners should specify the criteria used when they refer to a particular liigirühm, to avoid ambiguity.

See also: taxonomy, ecological guild, functional group, biodiversity data management.