Which major category ranks above the order and below the phylum in biological classification?

The major category that ranks above order and below phylum in biological classification is class. In the hierarchical system of taxonomy, the sequence from broadest to most specific is as follows: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

Thus, class serves as an important taxonomic level that groups together similar orders based on shared characteristics. For example, if you have a phylum such as Chordata, the classes within this phylum could include Mammalia (mammals), Aves (birds), and Reptilia (reptiles). Each of these classes encompasses various orders that represent more specific groupings of organisms with common traits or evolutionary histories.

The other categories mentioned either rank either higher (kingdom) or lower (order and family) than class, making them unsuitable for filling the specified position in the hierarchical classification.