Soviet Medical Encyclopedia

Genus

Biology & Genetics

Also known as: Genus (taxonomy)

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Summary

This article from the 1928–1936 Soviet Medical Encyclopedia defines the genus as a taxonomic category situated above the species and below the family. It explains that a genus is an obligatory category encompassing one or more related species.

Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)

GENUS, a systematic category standing above the species and below the family. The genus is an obligatory category, meaning that every species must belong to a known genus. Most frequently, a genus unites several species; for example, the species wolf (Canis lupus), dog (Canis familiaris), and jackal (Canis aureus) belong to a single genus of dogs (Canis); less frequently, a genus contains a single species.

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Cite this page

“Genus.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/genus/