Untertaxonomien

Untertaxonomien, also known as infrataxonomies, are subdivisions of a higher-level taxonomic rank. They are used in biological classification to provide a more detailed and specific categorization of organisms beyond the traditional ranks of kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. These subdivisions can be applied at various levels of the taxonomic hierarchy, depending on the needs of the classification system and the diversity of the organisms being studied.

For example, within the phylum Chordata, the class Mammalia can be further subdivided into infraclasses, such as Prototheria (monotremes), Theria (placental mammals and marsupials). Similarly, within the order Carnivora, the family Felidae can be subdivided into infraorders, such as Feliformia (cats) and Caniformia (dogs and their relatives).

Untertaxonomien are particularly useful in cases where traditional ranks do not adequately capture the diversity and relationships among organisms. They allow for a more nuanced understanding of evolutionary relationships and can help in the identification and classification of new species.

The use of untertaxonomien is not universally accepted, and different classification systems may use them to varying degrees. However, they are a valuable tool in the field of taxonomy, providing a more detailed and accurate representation of the natural world.