What does phyla mean?
Phyla is the plural of phylum, a term used primarily in biology for a major group of organisms. A phylum gathers related classes, orders, families, genera, and species into a large branch of the classification system; examples include Chordata, which contains vertebrates, and Mollusca, which contains snails, octopuses, and their relatives. The word also has a broader, uncommon application to large divisions in any system of classification. In scientific writing, phyla is especially important for describing the broad evolutionary relationships among organisms, including relationships between animals whose appearances seem very different. The term is precise and technical, so it is less likely to appear in general conversation than terms such as species, class, or family.
nounThe plural form of phylum: a major biological group in the classification of organisms, such as Chordata, Mollusca, or Angiosperms. The term is also used more broadly for a major division or category in a system of classification.
- A major biological group in the classification of organisms, such as Chordata, Mollusca, or Angiosperms.
- A large division or category within a broader system of classification.
"The museum's collection includes specimens from several different phyla, including mammals, insects, and molluscs."
"These two phyla share a common ancestor, even though their body plans are very different."
"The book organizes the archives into several phyla of historical documents."
The standard plural of phylum is phyla. The form phylums is also encountered, but phyla is the prevailing scientific plural.
"Several phyla of microscopic organisms inhabit the pond."
The word phyla points to the grand architecture of life: every species belongs to a lineage, and phyla mark the largest major branches in the biological family tree.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does phyla come from?
The term comes through Latin phylum from Greek phylon, meaning “tribe,” “kind,” or “race.” In biological classification, it developed to designate a major group in a taxonomic hierarchy. Its close relatives in English include phylogeny, phylogenetic, and phyletic, all of which refer to evolutionary relationships or the historical development of groups of organisms.
Related word forms
How phyla is actually used
In biology, phyla is the standard plural of phylum. It is commonly used with a modifier such as animal, plant, fungal, or microscopic. Outside biology, its use is specialized and less common.
Easily confused with phyla
A phylum is one taxonomic group, while phyla refers to multiple such groups.