What Are Genus Names?

Taxonomic Rank of Genus

  • Genus is a taxonomic rank below family and above species. It includes structurally or phylogenetically related species. In binomial nomenclature, genus name forms the first part. It is capitalized and italicized.

Genus Naming Conventions

  • First use full genus name like Panthera leo. After, abbreviate to first letter like F. catus. Display full name first time in a section.

Examples of Genus Groups

  • The genus groups organisms above species and below family level in a biological classification. It contains closely related species with common characteristics. Genus ranks contain varying numbers of species based on factors like evolution and geographic location.
Genus Name Description
Rosa Contains roses
Equus Contains zebras, horses, and donkeys
Eucheira Contains only madrone butterflies

Summary of Genus

  • A genus ranks between family and species. It includes structurally or phylogenetically related species with similar characteristics. In binomial nomenclature, genus name forms the first part. First use full genus name. Then abbreviate to first letter. Display full name first time in a section.

  • Genus ranks between family and species. It has related species with similar characteristics. Homo sapiens or "Homo sapiens" shows genus name capitalized and italicized.

  • Genus Panthera includes big cats – lion is Panthera leo and jaguar is Panthera onca. They are different species but same genus. Species name has two parts – genus and epithet. Genus is capitalized, epithet not.

  • There are 239,093 accepted animal genus names. 28,724 plant genus names. 10,468 fungus genus names. Genus Puma has pumas. Genus Panthera has big cats like lions and tigers.

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