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Glite Dictionary
subkingdom

subkingdom

8.9
A group in biology below a kingdom and above a phylum
  • noun
  • /sʌbˈkɪŋdəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : subreino
  • In biological classification, fungi are often categorized as a separate subkingdom within the domain of eukaryotes.

Examples

  • The scientist proposed a new subkingdom for certain microorganisms based on their unique genetic traits.

  • Although he had considered this possibility in 1959, Whittaker made the more conservative decision to include the bacteria as a subkingdom of the Protista.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Biologists study the relationships between different subkingdoms to understand the evolution of life on Earth.

Compounds

subkingdom Metazoa
  • Specialized
9.6

A large group of animals made of many cells with bodies that have organs and a nervous system

subkingdom Parazoa
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of simple animals like sponges that do not have true tissues

Surface Forms

subkingdom singular
subkingdoms plural

Morphology

subkingdom = kingdom (transparent) = sub + kingdom

The productive prefix 'sub-' meaning 'below' combines with 'kingdom' to indicate a subordinate taxonomic rank, a directly derivable technical term.

Etymology

Subkingdom begins with sub- meaning 'under' and ends with kingdom meaning 'a land ruled by a king' or 'a large group'. So in biology a subkingdom is like a smaller kingdom under a bigger one, a group below a kingdom but above a phylum.