Suboptiales

Suboptiales is a proposed taxonomic rank that falls below the rank of order and above the rank of family within the Linnaean system of biological classification. This hierarchical level is not universally recognized or applied in all taxonomic schemes, but it can be useful for organizing groups of related families that share a common ancestry or exhibit distinct evolutionary characteristics. The use of suborder or infraorder is more common in zoological classification, while subclasses are more frequently seen in botanical contexts, though suboptiales could theoretically be employed in either. The purpose of introducing such a level is to provide finer resolution in classifying the diversity of life, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of evolutionary relationships. For example, a large order might be divided into several suboptiales, each containing a few closely related families. This further subdivision can help systematists identify and study distinct lineages within broader taxonomic groups. The specific criteria for defining a suboptiale would depend on the group of organisms being classified and the particular evolutionary traits considered significant by the taxonomist.