Infraclass vs. Class — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 9, 2024
An "infraclass" is a rank below the class level in biological classification, offering a more detailed subgrouping of organisms. A "class" is a higher, broader category grouping similar orders of organisms.
Difference Between Infraclass and Class
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An infraclass is a taxonomic rank used to provide more specific subgroupings within classes, offering finer distinctions. A class is a higher taxonomic level grouping several orders sharing common traits.
The infraclass helps in distinguishing smaller subsets within large groups, clarifying evolutionary relationships. The class rank encompasses a broader scope, including diverse organisms that share overarching characteristics.
Infraclasses serve to highlight evolutionary branches within larger groups and are useful in certain fields like mammalogy. Classes, on the other hand, are foundational in categorizing organisms into major groups, like Mammalia.
Infraclass distinctions become particularly relevant when identifying unique lineage traits or behaviors. Classes, however, remain vital for broadly understanding similarities across wider groups.
The infraclass's more granular focus aids in detailed research and classification studies. The class, in contrast, is crucial for foundational biological studies and teaching due to its comprehensive grouping.
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Comparison Chart
Rank
Below class level
Higher level
Specificity
More specific grouping
Broader grouping
Examples
Metatheria (marsupials)
Mammalia (mammals)
Evolutionary Focus
More focused on detailed lineage traits
Broad evolutionary categories
Common Usage
Primarily in specialized research
Foundational for biological classification
Compare with Definitions
Infraclass
A taxonomic rank below a class.
The infraclass Eutheria includes placental mammals.
Class
A broad grouping that includes orders with common traits.
The class Mammalia consists of warm-blooded animals with hair or fur.
Infraclass
A group within a subclass but above a superorder.
Birds are categorized into the infraclasses Palaeognathae and Neognathae.
Class
A taxonomic category ranking above the order level.
The class Insecta includes all insects like beetles and ants.
Infraclass
A rank below the class level in taxonomy.
The infraclass Metatheria includes all marsupials.
Class
A major grouping in taxonomy above the order level.
The class Amphibia includes frogs, salamanders, and newts.
Infraclass
A taxonomic category grouping similar orders under a subclass.
The infraclass Neognathae encompasses the majority of modern birds.
Class
A broad taxonomic rank with several infraclasses.
The class Reptilia houses the infraclasses Archosauromorpha and Lepidosauromorpha.
Infraclass
A taxonomic category of related organisms ranking below a subclass and above an order or superorder.
Class
A set, collection, group, or configuration containing members regarded as having certain attributes or traits in common; a kind or category.
Infraclass
(taxonomy) A zoological classification sometimes inserted below subclass and above subterclass (rarely used) and superorder.
Class
A grade of mail
A package sent third class.
Class
A quality of accommodation on public transport
Tourist class.
Class
A social stratum whose members share certain economic, social, or cultural characteristics
The lower-income classes.
Class
Social rank or caste, especially high rank.
Class
(Informal)Elegance of style, taste, and manner
An actor with class.
Class
A group of students who are taught together, usually at a regularly scheduled time and in the same subject.
Class
The period during which such a group meets
Had to stay after class.
Class
The subject material taught to or studied by such a group
Found the math class challenging.
Class
A group of students or alumni who have the same year of graduation.
Class
(Biology)A taxonomic category ranking below a phylum or division and above an order.
Class
(Statistics)An interval in a frequency distribution.
Class
(Linguistics)A group of words belonging to the same grammatical category that share a particular set of morphological properties, such as a set of inflections.
Class
(Mathematics)A collection of sets whose members share a specified property.
Class
To arrange, group, or rate according to qualities or characteristics; assign to a class; classify.
Class
(countable) A group, collection, category or set sharing characteristics or attributes.
The new Ford Fiesta is set to be best in the 'small family' class.
That is one class-A heifer you got there, sonny.
Often used to imply membership of a large class.
This word has a whole class of metaphoric extensions.
Class
A social grouping, based on job, wealth, etc. In Britain, society is commonly split into three main classes: upper class, middle class and working class.
Class
(uncountable) The division of society into classes.
Jane Austen's works deal with class in 18th-century England.
Class
(uncountable) Admirable behavior; elegance.
Apologizing for losing your temper, even though you were badly provoked, showed real class.
Class
A group of students in a regularly scheduled meeting with a teacher.
The class was noisy, but the teacher was able to get their attention with a story.
Class
A series of lessons covering a single subject.
I took the cooking class for enjoyment, but I also learned a lot.
Class
(countable) A group of students who commenced or completed their education during a particular year. A school class.
The class of 1982 was particularly noteworthy.
Class
(countable) A category of seats in an airplane, train or other means of mass transportation.
I used to fly business class, but now my company can only afford economy.
Class
A rank in the classification of organisms, below phylum and above order; a taxon of that rank.
Magnolias belong to the class Magnoliopsida.
Class
Best of its kind.
It is the class of Italian bottled waters.
Class
(statistics) A grouping of data values in an interval, often used for computation of a frequency distribution.
Class
(set theory) A collection of sets definable by a shared property.
The class of all sets is not a set.
Every set is a class, but classes are not generally sets. A class that is not a set is called a proper class.
Class
(military) A group of people subject to be conscripted in the same military draft, or more narrowly those persons actually conscripted in a particular draft.
Class
A set of objects having the same behavior (but typically differing in state), or a template defining such a set in terms of its common properties, functions, etc.
An abstract base class
Class
One of the sections into which a Methodist church or congregation is divided, supervised by a class leader.
Class
(transitive) To assign to a class; to classify.
I would class this with most of the other mediocre works of the period.
Class
(intransitive) To be grouped or classed.
Class
(transitive) To divide into classes, as students; to form into, or place in, a class or classes.
Class
Great; fabulous
Class
A group of individuals ranked together as possessing common characteristics; as, the different classes of society; the educated class; the lower classes.
Class
A number of students in a school or college, of the same standing, or pursuing the same studies.
Class
A comprehensive division of animate or inanimate objects, grouped together on account of their common characteristics, in any classification in natural science, and subdivided into orders, families, tribes, genera, etc.
Class
A set; a kind or description, species or variety.
She had lost one class energies.
Class
One of the sections into which a church or congregation is divided, and which is under the supervision of a class leader.
Class
One session of formal instruction in which one or more teachers instruct a group on some subject. The class may be one of a course of classes, or a single special session.
Class
A high degree of elegance, in dress or behavior; the quality of bearing oneself with dignity, grace, and social adeptness.
Class
To arrange in classes; to classify or refer to some class; as, to class words or passages.
Class
To divide into classes, as students; to form into, or place in, a class or classes.
Class
To be grouped or classed.
The genus or family under which it classes.
Class
Exhibiting refinement and high character; as, a class act. Opposite of low-class
Class
People having the same social or economic status;
The working class
An emerging professional class
Class
A body of students who are taught together;
Early morning classes are always sleepy
Class
Education imparted in a series of lessons or class meetings;
He took a course in basket weaving
Flirting is not unknown in college classes
Class
A collection of things sharing a common attribute;
There are two classes of detergents
Class
A body of students who graduate together;
The class of '97
She was in my year at Hoehandle High
Class
A league ranked by quality;
He played baseball in class D for two years
Princeton is in the NCAA Division 1-AA
Class
Elegance in dress or behavior;
She has a lot of class
Class
(biology) a taxonomic group containing one or more orders
Class
Arrange or order by classes or categories;
How would you classify these pottery shards--are they prehistoric?
Common Curiosities
What does infraclass represent in biological classification?
An infraclass is a rank that categorizes organisms below the class level but above superorders.
Why are infraclasses important?
Infraclasses offer a more detailed subdivision of organisms within classes for specialized research.
Are infraclasses relevant to non-biologists?
Infraclasses may not be widely known outside of biological research, but they are important for understanding evolutionary relationships.
Are classes and infraclasses universally used across all groups of organisms?
No, the use of class and infraclass can vary between taxonomic groups depending on the complexity of their classification.
What determines whether an organism belongs to a specific infraclass or class?
Taxonomists use shared evolutionary traits and genetic relationships to classify organisms into infraclasses and classes.
Can a class contain multiple infraclasses?
Yes, a class can contain multiple infraclasses, each representing a distinct evolutionary branch.
What is a class in taxonomy?
A class is a taxonomic grouping that includes several orders with shared characteristics.
How are classes used in taxonomy?
Classes help scientists classify large groups of organisms based on common characteristics.
How do new classes or infraclasses get established?
New classes and infraclasses are established through scientific consensus based on new discoveries or advancements in understanding evolutionary relationships.
Can an infraclass have subclasses?
No, infraclasses generally sit below subclasses in the hierarchy, so they don't contain subclasses.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
