type genus

noun

, Biology.

the genus that is formally held to be typical of the family or other higher group to which it belongs.

type genus

/ tīp /

The taxonomic genus that is designated as representative of the family to which it belongs. The type genus is usually the first genus in the family to be named, or the genus that is considered most important. Families are named after type genera. For example, the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus is the type genus for the family Tyrannosauridae.

First recorded in 1830–40

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