Emberizinae

/ɛmbərɪˈziːniː/ noun

Definition

A subfamily within the Emberizidae family, containing certain sparrows, juncos, and towhees of the Americas.

Etymology

From Emberiza plus -inae (subfamily suffix in Linnaean taxonomy). Follows the hierarchical classification system established by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century.

Kelly Says

Taxonomic suffixes like -idae (family), -inae (subfamily), and -ini (tribe) form a nested hierarchy that Linnaeus designed like a filing system, and it still works so well that biologists haven't fundamentally changed it in 250 years.

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