Order (biology)

An order is a rank used in the biological taxonomy. Each order is split into families. There are many orders in each class.A group of closely related families forms an order. The similar characters are less in number as compared to different genera included in family.

Examples of order

• Carnivora is an order of meat-eating mammals. The cat family, dog family and bear family are in this order.
• Rodents are an order. Rats and mice are in one family. Squirrels belong in another family.
• Pine trees are in an order. The order includes more than just pine trees. It includes all living conifers, including the cypress and yew families.