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genus

noun, plural: genera

A taxonomic category ranking used in biological classification that is below a family and above a species level, and includes group(s) of species that are structurally similar or phylogenetically related.

In binomial nomenclature, the genus is used as the first word of a scientific name. The genus name is always capitalized and italicized. In order for a genus to be descriptively useful, it must have monophyly, reasonable compactness, and distinctness.

Word origin: from Latin genus "descent, family, type, gender")