Section (biology)

In biology a section (Latin: sectio) is a taxonomic rank that is applied differently in botany and zoology.

The hierarchy of biological classification's eight major taxonomic ranks. Intermediate minor rankings are not shown.

In botany

Main article: Section (botany)

Within flora (plants), 'section' refers to a botanical rank below the genus, but above the species:

• Domain > Kingdom > Division > Class > Order > Family > Tribe > Genus > Subgenus > Section > Subsection > Species

In zoology

Within fauna (animals), 'section' refers to an uncommonly used zoological rank below the order, but above the family:

• Domain > Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Section > Family > Tribe > Genus > Species

The rank of Superfamily is commonly adopted instead.

In bacteriology

The International Code of Nomenclature for Bacteria states that the Section rank is an informal one, between the subgenus and species (as in botany).