Tribe (biology) facts for kids
A tribe in biology is a special group of living things. It's a way scientists organize different species that are closely related. Think of it as a smaller team within a bigger family.
This term is part of something called taxonomy, which is the science of naming, defining, and classifying groups of biological organisms.
What is a Tribe in Biology?
In biology, a tribe is a group of organisms that all came from a single common ancestor. This means they are all closely related to each other. They share many features because of this shared history.
For example, all the members of a tribe might have similar body structures or behaviors. Scientists use tribes to show these close relationships.
Where Does a Tribe Fit In?
The biological classification system has many levels. A tribe fits in between a family and a genus.
- A family is a larger group.
- A tribe is a smaller group inside a family.
- A genus is an even smaller group inside a tribe.
- Finally, a species is the most specific group, like humans are a species.
So, the order goes: Family → Tribe → Genus → Species. This helps scientists organize the millions of different living things on Earth.
An Example: Our Own Tribe
Did you know humans belong to a tribe? Our tribe is called the Hominini. This tribe includes modern humans and all our close ancestors who walked upright.
The Hominini tribe is part of the Hominidae family, which also includes great apes like chimpanzees and gorillas. Studying tribes like Hominini helps us understand how different species evolved over time.
See also
In Spanish: Tribu (biología) para niños
