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Incertae sedis (Latin for "of uncertain placement"), abbreviated "inc. sed.", is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined.[1]

Examples[]

The taxonomy for humans is usually recognized as follows:

If modern humans were newly discovered or considered to be a taxonomic enigma, they might be given the rank of incertae sedis. For example, if it were uncertain how Homo related to other members of the family Hominidae, a list of the great apes would look like this:

Likewise, if humans were known to be primates, but no other relationships were clear, a taxonomy of the primates would look like this:

References[]

  1. ^ [1] United States Department of Agriculture
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