subkingdom

[ suhb-king-duhm, suhb-king- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Biology.

subkingdom

/ sʌbˈkɪŋdəm /

subkingdom

/ sŭb′kĭng′dəm /

A subdivision of a kingdom of organisms. A subkingdom contains one or more phyla.

First recorded in 1815–25; sub- + kingdom

Subkingdom, sub-king′dum, n. a subordinate kingdom: a division of a kingdom: a subdivision.

This subkingdom comprises at present such familiar forms as the crinoid, the starfish, and the sea urchin.

All subkingdoms of animals except the Vertebrates were represented, though usually only by the simpler types in each subkingdom.

The subkingdom Molluscoids has been richly represented by both the so-called “sea mosses” and brachiopods.

This subkingdom is known by naturalists under the name of the Arthropoda.

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