Phylum

Phylum is a rank in the taxonomic hierarchy, directly below Kingdom and above Class. It is used in the classification of organisms to group together those with similar characteristics. The term "phylum" is derived from the Greek word phulon, which means "race" or "stock".

Definition

In biological taxonomy, a phylum (plural: phyla) is a taxonomic rank below kingdom and above class. Traditionally, in botany the term division has been used instead of phylum, although the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants accepts the terms as equivalent.

History

The concept of phylum has its roots in the system of Carolus Linnaeus, who grouped species according to characteristics that were easy to observe. The idea of a phylum was further developed by Ernst Haeckel, a German biologist and philosopher who created a system of animal classification that included 20 phyla.

Use in classification

The use of the term "phylum" has been criticised for its lack of precision. Some scientists prefer to use the term "division", particularly in the classification of bacteria, algae and fungi, while others use the term "group". Despite these criticisms, "phylum" remains widely used in scientific literature and in educational materials.

Examples of phyla

There are several examples of phyla in both the animal and plant kingdoms. In the animal kingdom, for example, the phylum Chordata includes all animals with a dorsal nerve cord, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. In the plant kingdom, the phylum Bryophyta includes all mosses.

See also

• Taxonomy
• Kingdom
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species

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