Home

monogeneric

Monogeneric is a taxonomic term used to describe a higher taxon that contains only a single genus. The term can apply at various ranks, including families, subfamilies, or orders, but is most commonly used for families. The word combines the Greek prefixes monos “one” and genos “kind” or “genus.”

In practice, a monogeneric taxon means that all of its subordinate groups are organized under one genus.

Examples and implications: The family Ginkgoaceae is often described as monogeneric, containing only the genus Ginkgo.

Taxonomy and revisions: Monogeneric taxa can reflect a particular scientific view or historical arrangement. Advances in

See also: Monotypic, Taxonomy, Phylogeny.

This
status
can
arise
for
various
reasons,
including
an
ancient
lineage
with
few
close
relatives
or
taxonomic
decisions
that
consolidate
related
groups
into
a
single
genus.
Monogeneric
groups
are
encountered
in
both
botany
and
zoology,
though
they
are
more
frequently
discussed
in
plant
classification
and
paleobotany.
Within
this
genus,
the
number
of
recognized
species
has
varied
by
taxonomic
treatment,
though
the
living
lineage
is
commonly
represented
by
Ginkgo
biloba.
Monogeneric
status
is
not
a
statement
about
species
richness
within
the
genus;
it
is
a
statement
about
how
many
genera
are
recognized
within
the
higher
taxon.
molecular
phylogenetics
may
prompt
rearrangements
that
split
a
monogeneric
group
into
multiple
genera
or
merge
it
into
a
broader
taxon,
thereby
altering
its
monogeneric
status.