Taxon
A named group of organisms at any rank in the biological classification system—from species to kingdoms. The box you put things in determines what comparisons are possible.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 1 chapter:
Biological Context
Taxonomy organizes biological diversity into nested hierarchical groups based on evolutionary relationships. Higher taxa (phyla, classes) represent ancient evolutionary branches; lower taxa (genera, species) represent more recent divergences. The lumpers-splitters controversy is ongoing: since 1886, North American birds have experienced 142 lumps and 95 splits. Molecular techniques are accelerating reclassification as genetic data reveals previously hidden diversity. Classification decisions affect conservation priorities, research funding, and legal protections.