subphylum

A taxonomic category of related organisms ranking between a phylum and a class.

A taxonomic category ranking between a phylum and a class.

Pl. subphyla [L.] a taxonomic category sometimes established, subordinate to a phylum and superior to a class.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: (biology) a taxonomic group ranking between a phylum and a class

In life, a subphylum is a taxonomic rank intermediate between phylum and superclass. The rank of subdivision in plants and fungi is equivalent to subphylum.

Not all phyla are divided into subphyla. Those that are include:

• Arthropoda: divided into subphyla Trilobitomorpha, Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Hexapoda and Crustacea,
• Brachiopoda: divided into subphyla Linguliformea, Craniformea and Rhychonelliformea,
• Chordata: divided into Urochordata, Cephalochordata, and its largest subphylum Vertebrata.

v • d • e Taxonomic ranks
				Magnorder
Domain/Superkingdom	Superphylum/Superdivision	Superclass		Superorder	Superfamily			Superspecies
Kingdom	Phylum/Division	Class	Legion	Order	Family	Tribe	Genus	Species
Subkingdom	Subphylum	Subclass	Cohort	Suborder	Subfamily	Subtribe	Subgenus	Subspecies
Infrakingdom/Branch	Infraphylum	Infraclass		Infraorder		Alliance		Infraspecies
	Microphylum	Parvclass		Parvorder

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