Taxon

An individual which, together with others related to it by varying degrees of similarity in properties and characters, makes it possible to distinguish it and its like into a particular taxonomic category; the set of characters and properties must be sufficient for that taxon to occupy a definite place in the system and not overlap with others. The concept of taxon and taxonomic category should b…

An individual which, together with others related to it by varying degrees of similarity in properties and characters, makes it possible to distinguish it and its like into a particular taxonomic category; the set of characters and properties must be sufficient for that taxon to occupy a definite place in the system and not overlap with others. The concept of taxon and taxonomic category should be clearly distinguished. A taxon always refers to a specific group of individuals, whereas a taxonomic category serves to define the level of hierarchy or rank in the organization of the system. Thus species, genus, family, etc. are taxonomic categories, while Ariocarpus retusus, Cephalocereus senilis, and the like are taxa.