Pronunciation: [sˈʌbfa͡ɪləm] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "subphylum" is represented in the IPA phonetic transcription as /ˌsʌbˈfaɪləm/. The first syllable of "sub" is pronounced as "sʌb" with an "s" sound followed by a short "u" sound and a "b" sound. The second syllable "phy" is pronounced as "faɪ" with a long "i" sound that rhymes with "eye". The final syllable "lum" is pronounced as "ləm" with a short "u" sound followed by an "m" sound.
Subphylum is a taxonomic rank that is used to classify organisms in the hierarchical classification system. It is a division of the phylum category, which is a major level of taxonomic classification in the animal kingdom. The term "subphylum" is primarily used to group organisms that share certain common characteristics, while also indicating a closer relationship to each other than to organisms in other subphyla within the same phylum.
Subphylum represents a level of classification that is below the phylum but above the class level. It is a way to further divide the phylum into smaller, more closely related groups. Organisms within a subphylum typically share common anatomical features, evolutionary history, or other defining characteristic traits that distinguish them from organisms in other subphyla within the same phylum.
The subphylum level of classification provides a means to organize and categorize organisms into increasingly specific groups, aiding in the understanding of their evolutionary relationships and patterns. By employing the subphylum rank, taxonomists are able to establish a more refined framework for studying and classifying the diverse array of animal life on Earth.
In summary, a subphylum is a taxonomic rank that is used below the phylum level in the classification of organisms. It allows for further grouping of organisms based on shared characteristics, providing a more detailed understanding of their evolutionary relationships within the animal kingdom.
In biological classification the division between the phylum and the class.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "subphylum" is derived from the combination of two Latin roots.
The Latin prefix "sub-" means "under" or "below". It is commonly used as a prefix to indicate a lower rank or subdivision within a larger category.
The second part of the word, "phylum", comes from the Greek word "phylon", which means "tribe" or "race". In biological classification, phylum is one of the major taxonomic ranks used to group organisms based on shared characteristics.
Therefore, the term "subphylum" is a combination of the Latin "sub-" indicating a lower rank or subdivision, and the Greek "phylon" meaning "tribe" or "race", ultimately referring to a subdivision within a larger phylum in the field of biology.
