Subfamily

For the protein classification, see Protein subfamily.

In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: subfamilia, plural subfamiliae) is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, positioned below family and above genera. It is used to classify groups of related genera within a family, helping organize the diversity of life more precisely.

Standard nomenclature rules end botanical subfamily names with the suffix "-oideae", whereas zoological subfamily names end with "-inae". These suffixes help clearly identify the taxonomic rank in scientific literature and classification systems.

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