subordens

A suborder is a taxonomic rank used in biological classification, falling between the rank of order and family. It is used to group together closely related families within a larger order. The naming convention for a suborder typically ends with the suffix "-oidea". For example, in the class Mammalia, the order Carnivora contains the suborder Caniformia, which includes families like Canidae (dogs) and Ursidae (bears). Conversely, the suborder Feliformia includes families such as Felidae (cats) and Hyaenidae (hyenas).

The establishment of suborders helps to create a more refined and hierarchical system for organizing the diversity of life. It allows for the recognition of significant evolutionary divergences within an order without creating entirely new orders. This level of classification is particularly useful for large and complex orders where a more granular breakdown is beneficial for understanding phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history. Not all orders are divided into suborders; this rank is employed when there is a clear and justifiable grouping of families based on shared characteristics and evolutionary lineage. The use of suborders contributes to a more detailed and structured understanding of the relationships between different groups of organisms.