subtribe

Subtribe is a taxonomic rank used in the classification of organisms. It is placed below the rank of tribe and above genus. The rank is optional and is used in some classification schemes to organize large tribes into smaller, more coherent groups.

Placement and naming: In botanical nomenclature, a subtribe sits within a tribe and under a subfamily, and its name typically ends in the suffix -inae and is formed from a representative genus name. In zoological nomenclature, the rank is similarly used to subdivide tribes; subtribe names are governed by the relevant codes and are typically named after a prominent genus within the group.

Function and scope: The main purpose of a subtribe is to reflect phylogenetic relationships among closely related genera within a tribe; it helps taxonomists communicate about groups that would otherwise be too heterogeneous at the genus level. The exact composition of a subtribe can vary among classifications and may be revised as new data become available.

Modern context: With advances in molecular phylogenetics and cladistics, some authorities have reduced or eliminated formal ranks such as subtribe in favor of unranked clades. Consequently, the use and configuration of subtribes are inconsistent across taxa; when used, the rank is typically recognized only within certain groups or by particular taxonomic traditions.