Summary
Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species form nested ranks.
In depth
Mnemonic: Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup. Each level is a taxon containing more related organisms than the one above. Humans: Eukarya, Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Primates, Hominidae, Homo, sapiens.
Higher ranks are human constructs; relationships are what matter. Ranks differ in use across kingdoms. Subranks (subfamily, superfamily) exist.
Example: the domestic cat is Felis catus in family Felidae.
Classification arranges life in nested ranks, each containing the ones below: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species (a mnemonic: Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup). Each level groups organisms sharing more features and, in modern systems, more recent common ancestry.
Lower ranks contain fewer, more closely related organisms. Humans: Eukarya, Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Primates, Hominidae, Homo, sapiens. Extra ranks (sub-, super-, tribe) exist. Ranks are human conventions, and not directly comparable across groups; a family of beetles is not equal in age to a family of mammals.
Example: dogs and wolves share genus Canis but differ in species or subspecies.
Remember: higher ranks are broader.
Frequently asked questions
What is Taxonomic Hierarchy?
Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species form nested ranks.
Which area of biology covers Taxonomic Hierarchy, and how advanced is it?
Taxonomic Hierarchy is one of the 52 topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Linnaeus, Monophyletic Groups, Binomial Nomenclature.
Can you give an example of Taxonomic Hierarchy?
The lion and the tiger share genus Panthera.
What should I learn before Taxonomic Hierarchy?
Taxonomic Hierarchy is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity that pair well with it include Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature, Three Domains of Life.
What topics are related to Taxonomic Hierarchy?
The closest topics to Taxonomic Hierarchy are Linnaeus, Monophyletic Groups, Binomial Nomenclature, Three Domains of Life. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Taxonomic Hierarchy?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Taxonomic Hierarchy. To practise the whole of Taxonomy & Biodiversity, use the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz.
How is Taxonomic Hierarchy different from Linnaeus?
Taxonomic Hierarchy: Domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species form nested ranks. Linnaeus: Carl Linnaeus, the 18th-century Swedish scientist who established the modern hierarchical classification system. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Taxonomic Hierarchy step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Linnaeus and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.