Form (botany)

Botany

Form is in the botanical systematics one rank below the type, or as a taxon circumscribed group of living beings on this rank. In descending order of systematic units according to species, subspecies or variety, form follows; among them is the gradation sub form. The abbreviation for the form is f format from Latin, short for sub- form is SubF. subforma of Latin.

The term form is seldom used in botany today; it is mostly - unlike defined in the rules of botanical nomenclature - used in the trade and collectors to identify visual differences, such as special color varieties such as variegated leaves.

Zoology

In zoology, the expression is not covered by the rules of nomenclature. He is, however, even in scientific publications used to identify visually different variants, such as color morphs. Thus, for example, the dark variant of the peppered moth called Biston carbonaria betularia format. The long -winged variant of a beetle with otherwise shortened hind wings is often referred to as "formative macroptera ". Forms are often defined by a single feature groups. You do not necessarily form a monophyletic group or a taxon, but can the different feature be ecologically meaningful.

Pets as a form

While regional populations of wild animals, which differ in various features are identified as subspecies, is the habitat of pets can not geographically uniform area represents the criteria for subdivisions of subspecies therefore can not be applied here. Pets are to be construed as a subunit of a wild form, which does not reach the rank of subspecies. At international congresses zoologists was therefore determined to remove the pets from the zoological systematics. Pets are referred to in the zoological systematics as " forma" of the wild species. For example, the house dog receives a domesticated form of the wolf (Canis lupus ) the name Canis lupus familiaris format.