The word genus means

Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses.^[1] In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial species name for each species within the genus.

E.g. Panthera leo (lion) and Panthera onca (jaguar) are two species within the genus Panthera. Panthera is a genus within the family Felidae.

The composition of a genus is determined by taxonomists. The standards for genus classification are not strictly codified, so different authorities often produce different classifications for genera. There are some general practices used, however,^[2][3] including the idea that a newly defined genus should fulfill these three criteria to be descriptively useful:

1. monophyly – all descendants of an ancestral taxon are grouped together (i.e. phylogenetic analysis should clearly demonstrate both monophyly and validity as a separate lineage).
2. reasonable compactness – a genus should not be expanded needlessly.
3. distinctness – with respect to evolutionarily relevant criteria, i.e. ecology, morphology, or biogeography; DNA sequences are a consequence rather than a condition of diverging evolutionary lineages except in cases where they directly inhibit gene flow (e.g. postzygotic barriers).

Moreover, genera should be composed of phylogenetic units of the same kind as other (analogous) genera.^[4]

Etymology[edit]

The term «genus» comes from the Greek γένος, a noun form cognate with gignere (‘to bear; to give birth to’). The Swedish taxonomist Carl Linnaeus popularized its use in his 1753 Species Plantarum, but the French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (1656–1708) is considered «the founder of the modern concept of genera».^[5]

Use[edit]

The scientific name (or the scientific epithet) of a genus is also called the generic name; in modern style guides and science, it is always capitalised. It plays a fundamental role in binomial nomenclature, the system of naming organisms, where it is combined with the scientific name of a species: see Botanical name and Specific name (zoology).^{[citation needed]}

Use in nomenclature[edit]

The rules for the scientific names of organisms are laid down in the nomenclature codes, which allow each species a single unique name that, for animals (including protists), plants (also including algae and fungi) and prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea), is Latin and binomial in form; this contrasts with common or vernacular names, which are non-standardized, can be non-unique, and typically also vary by country and language of usage.

Except for viruses, the standard format for a species name comprises the generic name, indicating the genus to which the species belongs, followed by the specific epithet, which (within that genus) is unique to the species. For example, the gray wolf’s scientific name is Canis lupus, with Canis (Latin for ‘dog’) being the generic name shared by the wolf’s close relatives and lupus (Latin for ‘wolf’) being the specific name particular to the wolf. A botanical example would be Hibiscus arnottianus, a particular species of the genus Hibiscus native to Hawaii. The specific name is written in lower-case and may be followed by subspecies names in zoology or a variety of infraspecific names in botany.

When the generic name is already known from context, it may be shortened to its initial letter, for example, C. lupus in place of Canis lupus. Where species are further subdivided, the generic name (or its abbreviated form) still forms the leading portion of the scientific name, for example, Canis lupus lupus for the Eurasian wolf subspecies, or as a botanical example, Hibiscus arnottianus ssp. immaculatus. Also, as visible in the above examples, the Latinised portions of the scientific names of genera and their included species (and infraspecies, where applicable) are, by convention, written in italics.

The scientific names of virus species are descriptive, not binomial in form, and may or may not incorporate an indication of their containing genus; for example, the virus species «Salmonid herpesvirus 1», «Salmonid herpesvirus 2» and «Salmonid herpesvirus 3» are all within the genus Salmonivirus; however, the genus to which the species with the formal names «Everglades virus» and «Ross River virus» are assigned is Alphavirus.

As with scientific names at other ranks, in all groups other than viruses, names of genera may be cited with their authorities, typically in the form «author, year» in zoology, and «standard abbreviated author name» in botany. Thus in the examples above, the genus Canis would be cited in full as «Canis Linnaeus, 1758″ (zoological usage), while Hibiscus, also first established by Linnaeus but in 1753, is simply «Hibiscus L.» (botanical usage).

The type concept[edit]

Each genus should have a designated type, although in practice there is a backlog of older names without one. In zoology, this is the type species, and the generic name is permanently associated with the type specimen of its type species. Should the specimen turn out to be assignable to another genus, the generic name linked to it becomes a junior synonym and the remaining taxa in the former genus need to be reassessed.

Categories of generic name[edit]

In zoological usage, taxonomic names, including those of genera, are classified as «available» or «unavailable». Available names are those published in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature; the earliest such name for any taxon (for example, a genus) should then be selected as the «valid» (i.e., current or accepted) name for the taxon in question.

Consequently, there will be more available names than valid names at any point in time, which names are currently in use depending on the judgement of taxonomists in either combining taxa described under multiple names, or splitting taxa which may bring available names previously treated as synonyms back into use. «Unavailable» names in zoology comprise names that either were not published according to the provisions of the ICZN Code, e.g., incorrect original or subsequent spellings, names published only in a thesis, and generic names published after 1930 with no type species indicated.^[6] According to «Glossary» section of the zoological Code, suppressed names (per published «Opinions» of the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature) remain available but cannot be used as the valid name for a taxon; however, the names published in suppressed works are made unavailable via the relevant Opinion dealing with the work in question.

In botany, similar concepts exist but with different labels. The botanical equivalent of zoology’s «available name» is a validly published name. An invalidly published name is a nomen invalidum or nom. inval.; a rejected name is a nomen rejiciendum or nom. rej.; a later homonym of a validly published name is a nomen illegitimum or nom. illeg.; for a full list refer to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants and the work cited above by Hawksworth, 2010.^[6] In place of the «valid taxon» in zoology, the nearest equivalent in botany is «correct name» or «current name» which can, again, differ or change with alternative taxonomic treatments or new information that results in previously accepted genera being combined or split.

Prokaryote and virus codes of nomenclature also exist which serve as a reference for designating currently accepted genus names as opposed to others which may be either reduced to synonymy, or, in the case of prokaryotes, relegated to a status of «names without standing in prokaryotic nomenclature».

An available (zoological) or validly published (botanical) name that has been historically applied to a genus but is not regarded as the accepted (current/valid) name for the taxon is termed a synonym; some authors also include unavailable names in lists of synonyms as well as available names, such as misspellings, names previously published without fulfilling all of the requirements of the relevant nomenclatural code, and rejected or suppressed names.

A particular genus name may have zero to many synonyms, the latter case generally if the genus has been known for a long time and redescribed as new by a range of subsequent workers, or if a range of genera previously considered separate taxa have subsequently been consolidated into one. For example, the World Register of Marine Species presently lists 8 genus-level synonyms for the sperm whale genus Physeter Linnaeus, 1758,^[7] and 13 for the bivalve genus Pecten O.F. Müller, 1776.^[8]

Identical names (homonyms)[edit]

Within the same kingdom, one generic name can apply to one genus only. However, many names have been assigned (usually unintentionally) to two or more different genera. For example, the platypus belongs to the genus Ornithorhynchus although George Shaw named it Platypus in 1799 (these two names are thus synonyms). However, the name Platypus had already been given to a group of ambrosia beetles by Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Herbst in 1793. A name that means two different things is a homonym. Since beetles and platypuses are both members of the kingdom Animalia, the name could not be used for both. Johann Friedrich Blumenbach published the replacement name Ornithorhynchus in 1800.

However, a genus in one kingdom is allowed to bear a scientific name that is in use as a generic name (or the name of a taxon in another rank) in a kingdom that is governed by a different nomenclature code. Names with the same form but applying to different taxa are called «homonyms». Although this is discouraged by both the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, there are some five thousand such names in use in more than one kingdom. For instance,

• Anura is the name of the order of frogs but also is the name of a non-current genus of plants;
• Aotus is the generic name of both golden peas and night monkeys;
• Oenanthe is the generic name of both wheatears and water dropworts;
• Prunella is the generic name of both accentors and self-heal; and
• Proboscidea is the order of elephants and the genus of devil’s claws.
• The name of the genus Paramecia (an extinct red alga) is also the plural of the name of the genus Paramecium (which is in the SAR supergroup), which can also lead to confusion.

A list of generic homonyms (with their authorities), including both available (validly published) and selected unavailable names, has been compiled by the Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera (IRMNG).^[9]

Use in higher classifications[edit]

The type genus forms the base for higher taxonomic ranks, such as the family name Canidae («Canids») based on Canis. However, this does not typically ascend more than one or two levels: the order to which dogs and wolves belong is Carnivora («Carnivores»).

Numbers of accepted genera[edit]

The numbers of either accepted, or all published genus names is not known precisely; Rees et al., 2020 estimate that approximately 310,000 accepted names (valid taxa) may exist, out of a total of c. 520,000 published names (including synonyms) as at end 2019, increasing at some 2,500 published generic names per year.^[10] «Official» registers of taxon names at all ranks, including genera, exist for a few groups only such as viruses^[1] and prokaryotes,^[11] while for others there are compendia with no «official» standing such as Index Fungorum for fungi,^[12] Index Nominum Algarum^[13] and AlgaeBase^[14] for algae, Index Nominum Genericorum^[15] and the International Plant Names Index^[16] for plants in general, and ferns through angiosperms, respectively, and Nomenclator Zoologicus^[17] and the Index to Organism Names for zoological names.

Totals for both «all names» and estimates for «accepted names» as held in the Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera (IRMNG) are broken down further in the publication by Rees et al., 2020 cited above. The accepted names estimates are as follows, broken down by kingdom:

• Animalia: 239,093 accepted genus names (± 55,350)
• Plantae: 28,724 (± 7,721)
• Fungi: 10,468 (± 182)
• Chromista: 11,114 (± 1,268)
• Protozoa: 3,109 (± 1,206)
• Bacteria: 3,433 (± 115)
• Archaea: 140 (± 0)
• Viruses: 851 (± 0)

The cited ranges of uncertainty arise because IRMNG lists «uncertain» names (not researched therein) in addition to known «accepted» names; the values quoted are the mean of «accepted» names alone (all «uncertain» names treated as unaccepted) and «accepted + uncertain» names (all «uncertain» names treated as accepted), with the associated range of uncertainty indicating these two extremes.

Within Animalia, the largest phylum is Arthropoda, with 151,697 ± 33,160 accepted genus names, of which 114,387 ± 27,654 are insects (class Insecta). Within Plantae, Tracheophyta (vascular plants) make up the largest component, with 23,236 ± 5,379 accepted genus names, of which 20,845 ± 4,494 are angiosperms (superclass Angiospermae).

By comparison, the 2018 annual edition of the Catalogue of Life (estimated >90% complete, for extant species in the main) contains currently 175,363 «accepted» genus names for 1,744,204 living and 59,284 extinct species,^[18] also including genus names only (no species) for some groups.

Genus size[edit]

The number of species in genera varies considerably among taxonomic groups. For instance, among (non-avian) reptiles, which have about 1180 genera, the most (>300) have only 1 species, ~360 have between 2 and 4 species, 260 have 5–10 species, ~200 have 11–50 species, and only 27 genera have more than 50 species. However, some insect genera such as the bee genera Lasioglossum and Andrena have over 1000 species each. The largest flowering plant genus, Astragalus, contains over 3,000 species.^[19]

Which species are assigned to a genus is somewhat arbitrary. Although all species within a genus are supposed to be «similar», there are no objective criteria for grouping species into genera. There is much debate among zoologists whether enormous, species-rich genera should be maintained, as it is extremely difficult to come up with identification keys or even character sets that distinguish all species. Hence, many taxonomists argue in favor of breaking down large genera. For instance, the lizard genus Anolis has been suggested to be broken down into 8 or so different genera which would bring its ~400 species to smaller, more manageable subsets.^[20]

See also[edit]

• List of the largest genera of flowering plants

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera (IRMNG): includes an estimated 95% of published genus names (accepted and unaccepted) in all groups (semi-continuously updated)
• Nomenclator Zoologicus Archived 2021-12-23 at the Wayback Machine: index of genus and subgenus names (accepted and unaccepted) in zoological nomenclature from 1758 to 2004
• Index to Organism Names: includes zoological taxon names at all ranks (including genera) as continuously indexed for the Zoological Record
• Index Nominum Genericorum (ING): a compilation of generic names (accepted and unaccepted) published for organisms covered by the ICN: International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (semi-continuously updated)
• LPSN – List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature: includes all currently accepted Bacteria and Archaea genus names (continuously updated)
• ICTV taxonomy releases: latest and historical lists of accepted virus names compiled by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), including all currently accepted virus genus names (updated via regular releases)

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin genus (“birth, origin, a race, sort, kind”) from the root gen- in Latin gignere, Old Latin gegnere (“to beget, produce”). Doublet of gender, genre, and kin.

Pronunciation[edit]

• (UK) enPR: jēn’-əs, jĕn’-əs, IPA^(key): /ˈdʒiːnəs/, /ˈdʒɛnəs/
• (US) enPR: jēn’-əs, IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒiːnəs/
• Rhymes: -iːnəs

Noun[edit]

genus (plural genera or (both nonstandard) genuses or genusses)

1. (biology, taxonomy) A category in the classification of organisms, ranking below family (Lat. familia) and above species.

   All magnolias belong to the genus Magnolia.

   Other species of the genus Bos are often called cattle or wild cattle.

   There are only two genera and species of seadragons.

   • 1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, New York, N.Y.: Columbia University Press, →ISBN, page 6:

     Müller […] criticized the division of the «Jubuleae» into two families and he cited Jubula as an annectant genus.

   1. A taxon at this rank.
2. A group with common attributes.

   • 1945, Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, page 655:

     Recollection is one of a whole genus of effects which are more or less peculiar to the phenomena that we naturally call «mental.»

3. (topology, graph theory, algebraic geometry) A natural number representing any of several related measures of the complexity of a given manifold or graph.
4. (semantics) Within a definition, a broader category of the defined concept.
5. (music) A type of tuning or intonation, used within an Ancient Greek tetrachord.

Usage notes[edit]

• (biology, taxonomy, rank in the classification of organisms): See generic name, binomial nomenclature.
• Do not confuse a genus of things with the genius of things.

Synonyms[edit]

• See also Thesaurus:class

Hyponyms[edit]

• (topology, graph theory): Euler genus
• (music): chromatic, diatonic, enharmonic (genus)

Derived terms[edit]

[edit]

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

• (semantics): differentia
• (biological taxa):

• domain
• kingdom
• phylum/division
• class
• order
• family
• supergenus
• genus
  • subgenus, section, series
• species

Further reading[edit]

• genus in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• “genus”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.

Anagrams[edit]

• Negus, negus

Danish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin genus.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ɡeːnus/, [ˈɡ̊eːnus]

Noun[edit]

genus n (plural indefinite genus or genera)

1. (biology, taxonomy) genus

   Synonym: slægt

2. (grammar) gender

   Synonym: køn

Further reading[edit]

• genus on the Danish Wikipedia.Wikipedia ^da

Dutch[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin genus.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈɣeː.nʏs/
• Hyphenation: ge‧nus

Noun[edit]

genus n (plural genera)

1. (botany) a rank in a taxonomic classification, in between family and species.

   Synonym: geslacht

2. (botany) a taxon at this rank

   Synonym: geslacht

3. (linguistics) gender

   Synonym: geslacht

Derived terms[edit]

• subgenus
• supergenus

Finnish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin genus.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡenus/, [ˈɡe̞nus̠]
• Rhymes: -enus
• Syllabification^(key): ge‧nus

Noun[edit]

genus

1. (botany) Synonym of suku (“genus”)
2. (topology) genus

   Synonym: suku

Declension[edit]

Inflection of genus (Kotus type 39/vastaus, no gradation)
nominative	genus	genukset
genitive	genuksen	genusten genuksien
partitive	genusta	genuksia
illative	genukseen	genuksiin
	singular	plural
nominative	genus	genukset
accusative	nom.	genus	genukset
gen.	genuksen
genitive	genuksen	genusten genuksien
partitive	genusta	genuksia
inessive	genuksessa	genuksissa
elative	genuksesta	genuksista
illative	genukseen	genuksiin
adessive	genuksella	genuksilla
ablative	genukselta	genuksilta
allative	genukselle	genuksille
essive	genuksena	genuksina
translative	genukseksi	genuksiksi
instructive	—	genuksin
abessive	genuksetta	genuksitta
comitative	See the possessive forms below.

Possessive forms of genus (type vastaus)

first-person singular possessor singular plural nominative genukseni genukseni accusative nom. genukseni genukseni gen. genukseni genitive genukseni genusteni genuksieni partitive genustani genuksiani inessive genuksessani genuksissani elative genuksestani genuksistani illative genukseeni genuksiini adessive genuksellani genuksillani ablative genukseltani genuksiltani allative genukselleni genuksilleni essive genuksenani genuksinani translative genuksekseni genuksikseni instructive — — abessive genuksettani genuksittani comitative — genuksineni second-person singular possessor singular plural nominative genuksesi genuksesi accusative nom. genuksesi genuksesi gen. genuksesi genitive genuksesi genustesi genuksiesi partitive genustasi genuksiasi inessive genuksessasi genuksissasi elative genuksestasi genuksistasi illative genukseesi genuksiisi adessive genuksellasi genuksillasi ablative genukseltasi genuksiltasi allative genuksellesi genuksillesi essive genuksenasi genuksinasi translative genukseksesi genuksiksesi instructive — — abessive genuksettasi genuksittasi comitative — genuksinesi first-person plural possessor singular plural nominative genuksemme genuksemme accusative nom. genuksemme genuksemme gen. genuksemme genitive genuksemme genustemme genuksiemme partitive genustamme genuksiamme inessive genuksessamme genuksissamme elative genuksestamme genuksistamme illative genukseemme genuksiimme adessive genuksellamme genuksillamme ablative genukseltamme genuksiltamme allative genuksellemme genuksillemme essive genuksenamme genuksinamme translative genukseksemme genuksiksemme instructive — — abessive genuksettamme genuksittamme comitative — genuksinemme second-person plural possessor singular plural nominative genuksenne genuksenne accusative nom. genuksenne genuksenne gen. genuksenne genitive genuksenne genustenne genuksienne partitive genustanne genuksianne inessive genuksessanne genuksissanne elative genuksestanne genuksistanne illative genukseenne genuksiinne adessive genuksellanne genuksillanne ablative genukseltanne genuksiltanne allative genuksellenne genuksillenne essive genuksenanne genuksinanne translative genukseksenne genuksiksenne instructive — — abessive genuksettanne genuksittanne comitative — genuksinenne third-person possessor singular plural nominative genuksensa genuksensa accusative nom. genuksensa genuksensa gen. genuksensa genitive genuksensa genustensa genuksiensa partitive genustaan genustansa genuksiaan genuksiansa inessive genuksessaan genuksessansa genuksissaan genuksissansa elative genuksestaan genuksestansa genuksistaan genuksistansa illative genukseensa genuksiinsa adessive genuksellaan genuksellansa genuksillaan genuksillansa ablative genukseltaan genukseltansa genuksiltaan genuksiltansa allative genukselleen genuksellensa genuksilleen genuksillensa essive genuksenaan genuksenansa genuksinaan genuksinansa translative genuksekseen genukseksensa genuksikseen genuksiksensa instructive — — abessive genuksettaan genuksettansa genuksittaan genuksittansa comitative — genuksineen genuksinensa

Latin[edit]

Etymology 1[edit]

From Proto-Italic *genos, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵénh₁os (“race”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- (“to produce, beget”); compare also gēns, from the same root.

Cognates include Ancient Greek γένος (génos, “race, stock, kin, kind”), Sanskrit जनस् (jánas, “race, class of beings”), Proto-Celtic *genos (“birth; family”), and English kin. Doublet of genea.

Pronunciation[edit]

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈɡe.nus/, [ˈɡɛnʊs̠]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒe.nus/, [ˈd͡ʒɛːnus]

Noun[edit]

genus n (genitive generis); third declension

1. birth, origin, lineage, descent
2. kind, type, class

   • 27 BCE – 25 BCE, Titus Livius, Ab urbe condita libri 26.1:

     huic generi militum senatus eundem, quem Cannensibus, finem statuerat militiae.

     For this class of soldier the senate had established a limit in duration to their military service, which was the same as the men at Cannae.

3. species (of animal or plant), race (of people)

   • 70 BCE – 19 BCE, Virgil, Georgics III:

     omne adeo genus in terris hominumque ferarumque
     et genus aequoreum pecudes pictaeque volucres
     in furias ignemque ruunt

     So far does every species on earth of man and beast,
     whether the aquatic species, livestock, or painted-winged,
     collapse into the frenzies and the fire [of sex].

4. set, group (with common attributes)
5. (grammar) gender
   • 6th century, Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus (attributed): Commentarium de oratione et de octo partibus orationis. In: „Patrologiae cursus completus sive Bibliotheca universalis, integra, uniformis, commoda, oeconomica, omnium ss. patrum, doctorum scriptorumque ecclesiasticorum qui ab aevo apostolico ad innocentii III tempora floruerunt; […] . Series prima, in qua prodeunt patres, doctores scriptoresque ecclesiae latinae a tertulliano ad gregorium magnum. Accurante J.-P. Migne, cursuum completorum in singulos scientiae ecclesiaticae ramos editore. Patrologiae tomus LXX. Cassiodori tomus posterior. – Magni Aurelii Cassiodori senatoris, viri patricii, consularis, et vivariensis abbatis opera omnia in duos tomos distributa, ad fidem manuscriptiorum codicum emendata et aucta, notis, observationibus et indicibus locupletata, praecedente auctoris vita, quae nunc primum in lucem prodit cum dissertatione de ejus monarchatu. Opera et studio J. Garetii monarchi ordinis sancti Benedicti e congregatione sancti mauri. Nobis autem curantibus accesserunt complexiones in epistolas b. Pauli quas edidit et annotavit scipio Maffeius. Tomus posterior. – Parisiis, venit apud editorem, in via dicta d’amboise, près la barriere d’enfer, ou petit-montrouge. 1847“, p. 1225

     Genera nominum sunt sex: masculinum, ut hic Cato; femininum, ut haec musa; neutrum, ut hoc monile; commune duorum generum, ut hic et haec sacerdos: trium generum, ut hic, et haec, et hoc felix; epicoenon, quod Latine promiscuum dicitur, ut passer, aquila.

     Nouns have six genders: masculine, e.g. hic Cato ‘this man Cato’; feminine, e.g. haec musa ‘this muse’; neuter, e.g. hoc monile ‘this necklace’; common to two genders, e.g. hic et haec sacerdos ‘this priest or priestess’; of three genders, e.g. hic, et haec, et hoc felix ‘this lucky man, woman or thing’; epicene, called promiscous in Latin, e.g. passer ‘sparrow’, aquila ‘eagle’.

   • 16th century, Andreas Semperius (a.k.a. Andreas Sampere, Andreu Sempere): Andreae Semperii Valentini Alcodiani, doctoris medici, prima grammaticae latinae institutio tribus libris explicata, Majorca/Mallorca, 1819, p.19

     Genera nominum, septem sunt. Masculinum, cui praeponitur hic: ut hic Dominus. Foemineum, cui praeponitur haec: ut haec musa. Neutrum, cui praeponuntur hoc: ut hoc templum. Commune, cui praeponuntur hic, & haec: ut hic, & haec Sacerdos. Omne, cui praeponuntur hic, haec, hoc, vel per tres varias voces inflectitur: ut hic, haec, hoc felix, bonus, bona, bonum. Dubium, quod modo masculinum, modo faemineum, apud Oratores etiam invenitur: ut hic, vel haec dies. Promiscuum, in quo sexus uterque per alterum apparet: ut hic passer, haec aquila, hic lepus.

     Nouns have seven genders. Masculine, which you can precede with hic: hic dominus ‘this Lord’. Feminine, which you can precede with haec, e.g. haec musa ‘this muse’. Neuter, which you can precede with hoc, e.g. hoc templum ‘this temple’. Common, which you can precede with hic and haec: hic & haec sacerdos ‘this male or female priest’. Universal, which you can precede with all three of hic, haec, hoc, or which vary in three forms, e.g. hic, haec, hoc felix ‘this lucky man, woman, thing’, hic bonus, haec bona, hoc bonum ‘this good man, good woman, good thing’. Doubtful, which in the orators can be found to be sometimes masculine, sometimes feminine, e.g. hic, vel haec dies ‘this day’. Promiscuous, in which a gender appears instead of another, e.g. hic passer ‘this sparrow’ (always masculine), haec aquila ‘this eagle’ (always feminine), hic lepus ‘this rabbit’ (always masculine).

6. (grammar) subtype of word

   • Aelius Donatus, Ars Minor De Verbo:

     Genera verborum quot sunt? Quinque. Quae? Activa passiva neutra deponentia communia.

     How many types of verbs are there? Five. Which ones? Active, passive, neuter, deponent, common.

   • Maurus Servius Honoratus, Commentarius in Artem Donati :

     Verborum genera quinque sunt, activa passiva neutra communia deponentia.

     There are five types of verbs: active, passive, neuter, common, deponent.

Declension[edit]

Third-declension noun (neuter, imparisyllabic non-i-stem).

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	genus	genera
Genitive	generis	generum
Dative	generī	generibus
Accusative	genus	genera
Ablative	genere	generibus
Vocative	genus	genera

Hyponyms[edit]

• (grammar, genera nominum): [genus] fēminīnum, [genus] masculīnum, [genus] neutrum, genus commūne, genus omne
• (grammar, genera verborum): [genus] āctīvum, [genus] passīvum, [genus] neutrum, [genus] commūne, [genus] dēpōnēns, [genus] medium

Derived terms[edit]

Descendants[edit]

Etymology 2[edit]

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Pronunciation[edit]

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈɡe.nuːs/, [ˈɡɛnuːs̠]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒe.nus/, [ˈd͡ʒɛːnus]

Noun[edit]

genūs

1. genitive singular of genū

References[edit]

• “genus”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• “genus”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• genus in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition with additions by D. P. Carpenterius, Adelungius and others, edited by Léopold Favre, 1883–1887)
• Carl Meißner; Henry William Auden (1894) Latin Phrase-Book‎^[1], London: Macmillan and Co.
  • an Englishman by birth: natione, genere Anglus
  • the position of the lower classes: condicio ac fortuna hominum infimi generis
  • from this point of view; similarly: quo in genere
  • from every point of view; looked at in every light: omni ex parte; in omni genere; omnibus rebus
  • to be engaged in any branch of study: in aliquo litterarum genere versari
  • the species is subordinate the genus: partes generibus subiectae sunt
  • to differ qualitatively not quantitatively: genere, non numero or magnitudine differre
  • this word is neuter: hoc vocabulum generis neutri (not neutrius) est)
  • to be of noble family: generis antiquitate florere
  • of illustrious family: nobili, honesto, illustri loco or genere natus
  • people of every rank: homines omnis generis
  • the aristocracy (as a social class): nobiles; nobilitas; qui nobilitate generis excellunt
  • (ambiguous) the male, female sex: sexus (not genus) virilis, muliebris
  • (ambiguous) to choose a career, profession: genus vitae (vivendi) or aetatis degendae deligere
  • (ambiguous) to analyse a general division into its specific parts: genus universum in species certas partiri et dividere (Or. 33. 117)
  • (ambiguous) to transplant to Rome one of the branches of poesy: poesis genus ad Romanos transferre
  • (ambiguous) style: genus dicendi (scribendi); oratio
  • (ambiguous) elevated, moderate, plain style: genus dicendi grave or grande, medium, tenue (cf. Or. 5. 20; 6. 21)
  • (ambiguous) a running style: fusum orationis genus
  • (ambiguous) a rough, unpolished style: inconditum dicendi genus (Brut. 69. 242)
  • (ambiguous) a bombastic style: inflatum orationis genus
  • (ambiguous) to adopt the language of everyday life: accedere ad cotidiani sermonis genus

Norwegian Nynorsk[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Latin genus.

Noun[edit]

genus m or n (definite singular genusen or genuset, indefinite plural genera or genus, definite plural genera or generaa or genusa or genusane)

1. (biology, taxonomy) genus
2. (grammar) gender
3. (grammar) voice

References[edit]

• “genus” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.

Swedish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin genus.

Noun[edit]

genus n

1. (grammar) gender (division of nouns and pronouns)
2. (social) gender, sex (social issues of being man or woman)

Usage notes[edit]

• Biological gender is called kön. The Latin word genus is used for grammar and more recently for gender studies.

Declension[edit]

Declension of genus
	Singular	Plural
Indefinite	Definite	Indefinite	Definite
Nominative	genus	genuset	genus	genusen
Genitive	genus	genusets	genus	genusens

Synonyms[edit]

• (grammar): kön

[edit]

References[edit]

• genus in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)

Anagrams[edit]

• sugen, unges

Last Updated:
27 Mar 2023
— Updated example sentences

A genus is a taxonomic category ranking used in biological classification that is below family and above species. Species exhibiting similar characteristics comprise a genus. An estimate of the number of published genus names was at about 510,000 as of 2016. ⁽¹⁾ In 2018, the Catalogue of Life quoted 173,363 accepted genus names for both extant and extinct species. Also included in their report are genus names with no species for certain groups. ⁽²⁾ In binomial nomenclature, the genus is used as the first word of a scientific name in which the first letter is capitalized. Together with the specific epithet, they are italicized, e.g., Homo sapiens, or underlined if handwritten, e.g., Homo sapiens.

Biology definition:
A genus is a taxonomic rank comprised of species grouped based on shared attributes (having similar structures or distinct characteristics) or being phylogenetically related. It is one of the eight major taxonomic ranks in the biological classification of living things. It is below the family and above the species. A genus may be comprised of one or more species. Similarly, a family may consist of a single genus or more than one genera. Etymology: The term genus was borrowed from Latin. It means “birth”, descent, “origin”, “sort”, or “type”. The plural form is genera. Thus, the meaning of genera pertains to more than one genus as most taxonomic families are comprised of several genera.  Synonym: generic name. Compare: family, species

Classification System

The naming system

In binomial nomenclature, the genus is used as the first word of a scientific name. The genus name is always capitalized and italicized. For example, the binomial name of the lion is Panthera leo. The first part, Panthera, is the genus name whereas the second part, leo, is the specific epithet. A taxonomist (experts in taxonomy) assigns a scientific name for a particular species. In order for a genus to be descriptively useful, it must have monophyly, reasonable compactness, and distinctness.

Willi Hennig, a German biologist, defined monophyly as groups based on shared derived characteristics or traits that distinguish the group from other groups of organisms. As for reasonable compactness, it means that the genus needs not be expanded unnecessarily. The genus name must also show distinctness with respect to evolutionarily relevant criteria such as ecology, morphology, or biogeography.

In genus classification and naming, the Nomenclature Codes provide an archetypal standard. The binomial name is different from the common or vernacular name. The latter is non-standardized and varies by location as opposed to the former that is standardized and usage is globally accepted.

Genus vs. Species

A species is regarded as the most basic unit or category in the biological system of classification. To be considered into a species rank, the group must have at least two of its members capable of reproducing fertile offspring (such as by sexual reproduction). Organisms from different species, although they belong under the same genus, generally cannot interbreed as their offspring would likely be infertile. The species of a particular group of organisms would, therefore, pertain to those that can reproduce and sire fertile offspring of the same kind. Thus, they would have the same set of DNA, similar physical and morphological attributes, and demonstrate communal behavior.

The species is located below the genus rank. Thus, a genus is more encompassing and relatively wider in scope than a species. Nevertheless, the genus lies below the taxonomic family and therefore it would be less inclusive than a family since the latter serves as the collective umbrella of related genera.

Certain species can still be further subdivided into subgroups (called subspecies), such as varieties, formae, etc. The genus-species format is essential in naming an organism. The genus is the generic name whereas the species is the specific name in a binomial nomenclature. For example, Allium cepa (commonly known as onion). The Allium is the generic name whereas the cepa is the specific name.

Table 1: Difference between genus and species
Genus	Species
Genus meaning: a taxonomic rank below family and above species	Species meaning: the fundamental unit in biological classification
Comprised of species with common features	Comprised of individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring
More inclusive, as it is comprised of different species, and therefore consists of a larger number of organisms	Less inclusive and consisting of a fewer number of organisms
The first part of a binomial name	The second part of a binomial name
Genus example: Homo	Species example: H. sapiens

Genus and Family

A taxonomic family is a group of one or more genera. The genera under a particular family share a common attribute. Thus, a family would usually be more inclusive and consists of a greater number of organisms. The genera of a particular family evolve from the same ancestors for having relatively common characteristics. In the taxonomic rank, a family is above the genus level and below the order.

Type Concept

In modern biological classification, the type genus serves as the representative of a taxonomic family. Thus, one or more genera in a family would define the latter. In zoology, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature provides the fundamental standards. Accordingly, the family-group name would be based upon the type genus.

For example, the genus Cricetus (Leske, 1779) is the type genus of the family Cricetidae. Another example is the mallard Anas platyrhynchos. Anas is the type genus for the family Anatidae. Canis lupus (dogs and wolves) belongs to the family Canidae. The family name is derived from the generic name Canis.

The genus could serve as the root and the family name as the stem, with a name often ending in –idae. There are also instances wherein the next major taxonomic rank, particularly order, is based as well on the type genus. In dogs and wolves, for instance, belong to the order Carnivora. A family name should have a type genus just as a type genus has a type species. If a specimen turns out to be of another genus, then the generic name becomes a junior synonym.

Usage

In zoology, a genus may be available or unavailable. The available names are genus names that are published based upon the standards of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), as well as by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. The unavailable names were those that were not published because of nonconformity to the ICZN Code. Other possible reasons are incorrect spellings and lack of type species.

In botany, an available name is a validly published name whereas an unavailable name is an invalid name. A genus name that is invalid is given a label, nomen invalidum (nom. Inval.). A valid name in botany is labeled as the correct name or current name.

The genus name could change over time and be replaced with another. This happens when new information comes along. The formerly accepted name, as a result, becomes a synonym. For example, Physeter (Linnaeus, 1758) has the following synonyms: Catodon (Linnaeus, 1761), Cetus (Billberg, 1828), Meganeuron (Gray, 1865), Megistosaurus (Harlan, 1828), Phiseter (Bonnaterre, 1789), Physalus (Lacépède, 1804), Physeterus (Duméril, 1806), and Tursio (Fleming, 1822).⁽²⁾

A homonym in biological classification is a name that is associated with two different taxa. For example, the ambrosia beetle and the platypus had been given the generic name Platypus. Nevertheless, the ambrosia beetle was the first to get a generic name Platypus and thus the platypus eventually was given a new generic name Ornithorhynchus. The two cannot share the same generic name since they are both from Kingdom Animalia. However, the use of the same genera for specimens from different kingdoms is still discouraged.

There are thousands of cases wherein species from different kingdoms share with the same genera. For example, Aoutus is the generic name for the night monkeys and also for the golden peas.

Examples

Homo (from Latin that literally means “man”) is a genus of humans that belong to the tribe Hominini of the family Hominidae, order Primates, class Mammalia. The fundamental features of the human species in the genus Homo are bipedalism, opposable thumb, possession of a notochord that is eventually replaced by a vertebral column, live birth, and mammary glands producing breast milk in women to nourish the newly born. In this genus example, several species are included. However, only one species remain extant, i.e. H. sapiens sapiens (modern). Below is the genus list of human species (genus Homo).

• H. habilis
• H. rudolfensis
• H. gautengensis
• H. erectus
• H. ergaster
• H. antecessor
• H. heidelbergensis
• H. cepranensis
• H. rhodesiensis
• H. naledi
• H. neanderthalensis
• H. floresiensis
• H. tsaichangensis
• Denisova hominin
• Red Deer Cave people
• H. s. sapiens (modern)

These species possess a highly developed brain and advanced skills, particularly in abstract reasoning, problem-solving, self-awareness, and articulate communication. They walk on two legs, with an erect carriage. They have relatively smaller teeth than other primates. These features set them apart from other genera, such as Australopithecus.

The genus Australopithecus also belongs to the tribe Hominini. Their brains were smaller, about 35% of the brain size of modern humans. They generally had smaller built than humans and were shorter (about 3’11 to 4’7). They were more morphologically similar to chimpanzees and bonobos than to humans since their bodies are fully covered with hair. Astralopithecus, though, play a part in human evolution.

The genus Homo is presumed to originate from one of the species of this genus million years ago.⁽⁴⁾ Ardipithecus is another genus belonging to family Hominidae. Members of this genus were already extinct. They diverged from the chimpanzees. They have a grasping hallux or big toe that enabled them to move from one tree to another with relative ease. This genus as the earliest human ancestor is a matter of debate though since they likely behave more like a chimpanzee than humans. Sahelanthropus is a genus comprised of extinct species from the Miocene epoch, particularly during the time close to that when chimpanzees and humans diverged.

Try to answer the quiz below to check what you have learned so far about genus.

Further Reading

• Why Non-Human Primates Don’t Speak Like Humans

References

1. Rees, T., Vandepitte, L., Decock, W., and Vanhoorne, B. (2017). “IRMNG 2006–2016: 10 Years of a Global Taxonomic Database” (PDF). Biodiversity Informatics. 12: 1–44.
2. Catalogue of Life – 2018 Annual Checklist : 2018 Annual Checklist. (2018). Retrieved from Catalogueoflife.org website: http://www.catalogueoflife.org/annual-checklist/2018/info/ac
3. WoRMS – World Register of Marine Species – Physeter Linnaeus, 1758. (2019). Retrieved from Marinespecies.org website: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137032
4. Toth, N. and Schick, K. (2005). “African Origins” in The Human Past: World Prehistory and the Development of Human Societies (Editor: Chris Scarre). London: Thames and Hudson. Page 60.
5. AVH – Links to this species on other web servers. (2010). Retrieved from Anbg.gov.au website: http://www.anbg.gov.au/chah/avh/help/names/index.html
6. What Is a Genus: Common Trees of the Pacific Northwest. (2019). Retrieved from Oregonstate.edu website: https://oregonstate.edu/trees/genus_describe.html
7. Required Taxa – Humans. (2019). Retrieved from Ncsu.edu website: https://projects.ncsu.edu/cals/course/zo150/mozley/humans.html
8. Classification of Living Things: Principles of Classification. (2012). Retrieved Palomar.edu website: https://www2.palomar.edu/anthro/animal/animal_2.htm

© Biology Online. Content provided and moderated by Biology Online Editors

Asked by: Mrs. Imogene Tromp

Score: 4.3/5
(24 votes)

Genus /ˈdʒiː.nəs/ is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family.

What is an example of a genus?

The definition of a genus is a class of items such as a group of animals or plants with similar traits, qualities or features. An example of a genus is all the species of mushrooms that are part of the Amanita family.

What is a genus easy definition?

1 : a class, kind, or group marked by common characteristics or by one common characteristic specifically : a category of biological classification ranking between the family and the species, comprising structurally or phylogenetically (see phylogenetic sense 2) related species or an isolated species exhibiting unusual …

What is the meaning of the name genus?

The term genus was borrowed from Latin. It means “birth”, descent, “origin”, “sort”, or “type”. The plural form is genera. Thus, the meaning of genera pertains to more than one genus as most taxonomic families are comprised of several genera. Synonym: generic name.

What is an example of genus and species?

A genus consists of a large number of organisms, whereas species consists of a fewer number of organisms. The best example is animals like zebra, horses, and donkeys which belong to the same Genus “Equss”. Meaning all the different species of zebra, donkey, and horses all belong to Equss.

30 related questions found

1	1   0 A category of biological classification that ranks between the species and subfamily categories. A genus contains a group of closely related species or a single species that is well removed from other species.

2	0   0 Genus A group in the classification of organisms. Classification level above the species group. It consists of similar species. Similar genera (plural form of genus) are grouped into a family.

3	0   0 Genus The species that a living thing has descended from

4	0   0 Genus (Latin plural genera), 1550s as a term of logic, «kind or class of things» (biological sense dates from c. 1600), from Latin genus (genitive generis) «race, stock, kind; family, birth, [..]

5	0   0 Genus n. A category in the classification of plants and animals between species and family; genera- pl.

6	0   0 Genus Grouping of plants below family and above species that unites a group of species with distinctive characteristics in common.In the two word Latin or botanical name, the genus is the first word. Eg. Amsonia is the genus of Amsonia hubrichtii

7	0   0 Genus Botanical category of closely related organisms, genus is below family but above species. germination:

8	0   0 Genus A group of species of plants that have similar attributes. A genus is below a family and above a species. Plural is genera.

9

0   0 Genus A level of hierarchy in plant classification. All plants are classified or identified by placing them in groups or categories to show relationships. All plants can be identified or associated with successive categories that are arranged hierarchically, as follows: Kingdom, Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. When people discuss plant na [..]

10	0   0 Genus Common traits allowing things to be categorised

11	0   0 Genus The initiation of active growth by the embryo, resulting in the rupture of seed coverings and the emergence of a new seedling plant capable of independent existence. Glycoalkaloid

12	0   0 Genus A group of species of plants that are closely related. Germinate

13	0   0 Genus A group of related species linked by common characteristics.

14	0   0 Genus   A hierarchical level in plant naming. Genus comes below family and before species.

15	0   0 Genus The first part of the two-part scientific name that is used for plants on our website.

16	0   0 Genus A group of closely related plants that is clearly differentiated from other groups.

17	0   0 Genus A group of related species linked by common characteristics. Germinate

18	0   0 Genus A taxonomic rank above the level of species and below family.

19	0   0 Genus see binomial nomenclature

20	0   0 Genus What is a genus? The genus is the first part of a plant’s botanical name used to properly describe it.

21	0   0 Genus A group of plants with common characteristics that are different from those of all other such groups. A genus comprises one or more species.

22	0   0 Genus A category of taxonomic classification that is narrower in scope than Family

23	0   0 Genus an assemblage of species, which all agree in one or more important structural character. Glaucous:

24	0   0 Genus A group of related species, each of which is distinct, and unlikely to cross with any other. In the standard classification, a group of Genera forms a Family, and a group of Families an Order.

25	0   0 Genus indicates a group of species that have similar structural parts.

26	0   0 Genus A category that sits below a family and above a species. It involves a group of species that contain similar characteristics.

27	0   0 Genus A group of related species.

28	0   0 Genus A group of related species, each of which is distinct and unlikely to cross with any other. A group of genera forms a family, and a group of families forms an order. See species.

29	0   0 Genus (jean-us). A closely related group of species; the first and always capitalized word in the scientific name of a plant. The plural is genera (jen-er-a).

30	0   0 Genus The second part of the two-part scientific name that is used for plants on our website e.g. Petunia. The full name being Veranda Salmon Petunia (Veranda is the series, or collection that the plant is in, and Salmon is the variety)

31	0   0 Genus  Botanical category of closely related organisms, genus is below family but above species.

32

0   0 Genus (plural genera): A group of plants all very similar in characteristics to each other, e.g., members of the genus sorbus (mountain ash and whitebeam) are all recognizably alike in many details. The generic name (in this case sorbus) is like a person’s surname, the specific name (see species) being akin to a first name.

33	0   0 Genus one of the seven taxonomic ranks used to classify living organisms. Genus comes after Family and before Species. Read more on: Genus

34	0   0 Genus a term that is used in biological taxonomy and is the name of the main subdivision of a family that contains a group of similar and related species.

35	0   0 Genus kind, sort, class, category

36	0   0 Genus A division of a plant family which is based on the plant’s botanical characteristics. A plant’s genus is indicated by its first botanical name. For example, cornflower belongs to the genus Centaur [..]

37	0   0 Genus a group of species that are similar; the plural of genus is genera.

38	0   0 Genus Level of scientific classification; below Family and above Species

39	0   0 Genus (L: genus= birth, race, stock) a group of species that are closely related (plural genera). In taxonomic classification, the genus is the first grouping of species, sometimes divided in subgenus/subge [..]

40	0   0 Genus The second-to-lowest category in taxonomic classification. The phrase "species name" generally refers to the genus and species together, as in the Latin name for humans, Homo sapiens [..]

41	0   0 Genus A group of species that resemble each other because of shared inheritance. See Figure 6.3.

42	0   0 Genus A recognised way of categorising closely related species of organisms. The genus is the first part of the Latin name of a species; for example, Homo Sapiens (human being) is part of the genus Homo.

43	0   0 Genus The second-to-lowest category in taxonomic classification. The phrase "species

44	0   0 Genus (genera). One of the categorical ranks of rank-based nomenclature; more specifically, it is the primary rank above the rank of species and below that of family. The genus rank is mandatory in [..]

45	0   0 Genus group of closely related species, the first part of the scientific name in binomial nomenclature

46	0   0 Genus  (pl: genera) a category of biological classification that ranks between family and species and contains related species. The genus of a particular creature is the first word of the scientific name and should be capitalized and italicized (e.g. Steatoda grossa

47	0   0 Genus group of organisms that are closely related; classification group between family and species. geocentric

48	0   0 Genus in Linnaean classification, the second-lowest level used to group organisms, and consisting of one or more related species—for example, Agathis, the genus to which kauri trees belong

49	0   0 Genus (n) a general kind of something(n) (biology) taxonomic group containing one or more species

50	0   0 Genus A taxonomic division that generally refers to a group of animals which are similar in structure and descent but are not all able to breed among themselves. For example, the lion, leopard and tiger all [..]

51	0   0 Genus The level of the taxonomic hierarchy above the species but below the family level

52	0   0 Genus N | noble birth; kind/sort/variety; class/rank; mode/method/style/fashion/way

53	0   0 Genus A taxonomic concept used to group a number of species believed to be more closely related to one another than to any others; ranked between family and species.

54	0   0 Genus Group of closely related plants but distinct enough not to interbreed. Usually consists of several species. Plural — genera.

55	0   0 Genus A group of similar species.

56	0   0 Genus A Family of organisms is again divided into a genus. This Genus provides biology with the first name of any organism. For example, all organisms in the Family Canidae will belong to the Genus Canis and will carry the name Canis before its species or subspecies name

57

0   0 Genus In the Linnaean classification the taxonomic rank between family or tribe and species, and used to define group of closely related organisms that differ in only very minor ways. In the Linnaean system of binomial nomenclature, the genus is written in italics, with a capital letter, in front of the species name, or on its own. e.g. with Tyrannosauru [..]

58	0   0 Genus the taxonomic discrimination comprising the first half of the scientific name of an organism

59	0   0 Genus A taxonomic category for a group of related plants or animals. The genus is the main subdivision of a family, and includes one or more species. For more information see the classification of animals.

60	0   0 Genus A group of closely related species, a monophyletic category for the taxon above the species level that includes one or more species.

61	0   0 Genus A grouping by kind or class. Several united species makes a genus.

62	0   0 Genus Part of the classification system used to identify plants and animals. Wolves are of the genus Canis along with coyotes and domestic dogs.

63	0   0 Genus an assemblage of Species agreeing in one character or a series of characters.  It is usually considered arbitrary and opinionative grouping, though some consider it a natural assemblage.

64	0   0 Genus (pl. Genera): A group of related species.  The genus name is the first word in the scientific name of a species.  For example, the monarch’s scientific name is Danaus plexippus.  Danaus is the name of the genus the monarch belongs to.

65	0   0 Genus a taxonomic category ranking below a family and above a species and generally consisting of a group of species

66	0   0 Genus (more than one = genera) — The sixth group that scientists classify living things into. Each family is split into genera. Example: The Microtus Genus is in the Muridae Order.

67	0   0 Genus (plural genera)   A group of closely related species. The name of the genus

68	0   0 Genus and cervus

69

0   0 Genus a group of plants or animals with similar characteristics. The animal kingdom, which includes insects, is taxonomically structured by kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.  Example:  The imported fire ant is classified as Animal (kingdom), Arthropoda (phylum), Insecta or Hexapoda (class), Hymenoptera (order), Formicidae (family), [..]

70	0   0 Genus An assemblage of species that are more closely related to each other than to species in any other genus. In the case of butterflies and moths, all the species within a given genus will share identical [..]

71	0   0 Genus the principal subdivision of a family next above a species. A group of related species with similar characteristics and appearing to have a common ancestry. (Glossary of PM)

72	0   0 Genus A genus is a group of related or similar organisms, and can be referred to as a ‘family’. A genus contains one or more species. Examples of probiotic genera include Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.

73	0   0 Genus A group of closely related species.

74	0   0 Genus See biological classification

75	0   0 Genus A genus is a group of related or similar organisms, and can be referred to as a ‘family’. A genus contains one or more species. Examples of probiotic genera include Bifidobacterium and Lacto [..]

76	0   0 Genus A category including closely related species. Interbreeding between organisms within the same category can occur.

77	0   0 Genus A group of related species, each of which is distinct and unlikely to cross with any other. A group of genera forms a family, and a group of families forms an order. See species.

78	0   0 Genus A taxonomic grouping of similar species more similar to each other than to other species.

79	0   0 Genus Taxonomic Genus.

80	0   0 Genus Refers to a group of species of plants that share certain structural characteristics as determined by botanical study. The genus name, a noun, may come from mythology, literature, or other sources which refer to something the plant resembles.

81	0   0 Genus A genus (plural genera) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, as well as viruses, in biology. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus c [..]

82	0   0 Genus In mathematics, genus (plural genera) has a few different, but closely related, meanings. The most common concept, the genus of an (orientable) surface, is the number of «holes» it has, so that a sphe [..]

83	0   0 Genus In mathematics, genus (plural genera) has a few different, but closely related, meanings. The most common concept, the genus of an (orientable) surface, is the number of «holes» it has, so that a sphe [..]

84	0   0 Genus In mathematics, genus (plural genera) has a few different, but closely related, meanings. The most common concept, the genus of an (orientable) surface, is the number of «holes» it has, so that a sphe [..]

85	0   0 Genus Genus (Greek: γένος [genos], pl. γένη [genē], Latin: genus, pl. genera «type, kind») is a term used in the Ancient Greek and Roman theory of music to describe certain classes of intonations [..]

86	0   0 Genus Genus is a furry erotic comic book originally published by Antarctic Press and continued by Radio Comix under its «Sin Factory» imprint. Issues contain sexually explicit stories and pin-up illustratio [..]

87	0   0 Genus In Linnaean taxonomy, genus is the rank between family and species. Genus may also refer to: Genus, a taxonomic rank used for the purpose of cloud classification Genus: Journal of Population Sciences [..]

88	0   0 Genus In Scholastic logic a Genus is one of the Predicables. Genus is that part of a definition which is also predicable of other things different from the definiendum. A triangle is a rectilinear figure; [..]

89	0   0 Genus In linguistics, a genus is a group of phylogenetically related languages inside a linguistic family, in particular a genus is a group languages which can be recognized as related languages without usi [..]

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What does the word genus mean?

Genus, plural genera, biological classification ranking between family and species, consisting of structurally or phylogenetically related species or a single isolated species exhibiting unusual differentiation (monotypic genus).

What is the etymology of genus?

genus (n.) 1600), from Latin genus (genitive generis) «race, stock, kind; family, birth, descent, origin» (from suffixed form of PIE root *gene- «give birth, beget,» with derivatives referring to procreation and familial and tribal groups).

What does genius mean in Latin?

The Romans believed that all people had a guiding spirit that attended them throughout their lives. Because this spirit was born with the person it was called a ‘genius‘ (from the Latin verb gignere meaning ‘to give birth or bring forth’ – which also happens to be the root of our word ‘generate’).

What is another name for genus?

Genus Synonyms — WordHippo Thesaurus….What is another word for genus?

type	class
species	breed
division	family
group	order
set	style

What is an example of a genus?

A genus consists of a large number of organisms, whereas species consists of a fewer number of organisms. The best example is animals like zebra, horses, and donkeys which belong to the same Genus “Equss”. Meaning all the different species of zebra, donkey, and horses all belong to Equss.

What’s the plural of genus?

genus. noun. ge·​nus | ˈjē-nəs plural genera ˈje-​nə-​rə

What is difference between genus and species?

Genus and species are two taxonomic rankings of the biological classification of organisms. Species is the fundamental taxonomic rank of organisms, which contains a group of closely-related organisms, interbreeding to produce a fertile offspring. A genus is a closely-related group of several species.

What is human genus?

Homo

What is genus species order?

In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclature, the genus name forms the first part of the binomial species name for each species within the genus. E.g. Panthera leo (lion) and Panthera onca (jaguar) are two species within the genus Panthera.

What are the 8 levels of taxonomy?

The current taxonomic system now has eight levels in its hierarchy, from lowest to highest, they are: species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, domain.

Are dynasties empires?

A dynasty is a line of rulers descended from one family. An empire is a territory ruled by an emperor or empress that may contain one or more kingdoms. … An empire is a collection of states forcibly ruled by a single government. A dynasty is a succession of related rulers.

род, вид, класс, сорт

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Формы слова

noun
ед. ч.(singular): genus
мн. ч.(plural): genera