In biology a section (Latin: sectio) is a taxonomic rank that is applied differently in botany and zoology.
In 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:
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).1
References
References
- "Chapter 3, Rules of Nomenclature with Recommendations, Rule 11", International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria: Bacteriological Code, 1990 Revision, ASM Press, 1992