The hierarchy of biological classification's eight major taxonomic ranks. Intermediate minor rankings are not shown.
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 a zoological rank below the order, but above the family:
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).