Genus
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Hierarchy Level
In biological classification, genus ranks above species and below family, showing its position in classification hierarchy. In the genus Equus, horses and zebras are closely related species.
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Latin Names
Scientific names use Latin, so the genus part of a species' name is always capitalized and italicized or underlined. The tomato plant belongs to the genus Solanum.
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Shared Traits
Species within the same genus share many traits and can sometimes interbreed, unlike those in different genera. Both the domestic dog and the gray wolf are part of the genus Canis.