In
taxonomy, a segregate, or a segregate taxon is created when a
taxon
In biology, a taxon ( back-formation from '' taxonomy''; plural taxa) is a group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms seen by taxonomists to form a unit. Although neither is required, a taxon is usually known by a particular n ...
is split off from another taxon. This other taxon will be better known, usually bigger, and will continue to exist, even after the segregate taxon has been split off. A segregate will be either new or ephemeral: there is a tendency for taxonomists to disagree on segregates, and later workers often reunite a segregate with the 'mother' taxon.
If a segregate is generally accepted as a 'good' taxon it ceases to be a segregate. Thus, this is a way of indicating change in the taxonomic status. It should not be confused with, for example, the subdivision of a genus into
subgenera.
:For example, the genus ''
Alsobia'' is a ''segregate'' from the genus ''
Episcia''; The genera ''
Filipendula'' and ''
Aruncus'' are segregates from the genus ''
Spiraea''.
External links
A more detailed explanation with multiple examples on
mushroom
A mushroom or toadstool is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground, on soil, or on its food source. ''Toadstool'' generally denotes one poisonous to humans.
The standard for the name "mushroom" is ...
s.
Botanical nomenclature
Plant taxonomy
Taxonomy (biology)