Which taxonomic level comes before the family level in biological classification?

The taxonomic level that comes immediately before the family level in biological classification is the genus. In the hierarchical system of classification, organisms are grouped into a series of ranks that include domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

The genus is a more specific grouping than family and typically includes one or more species that share common characteristics. For example, in the classification of the domestic cat, Felis catus, "Felis" is the genus, while "Felidae" is the family it belongs to. Understanding the hierarchy is crucial for accurate classification and identification of organisms, as each level reflects increasing specificity about the organisms being classified.

The other levels mentioned, such as species, order, and class, occupy different positions within the classification hierarchy: species is the most specific level, order encompasses a group of families, and class represents a broader category that includes multiple orders. Therefore, among the options provided, genus is the correct answer as it is the direct predecessor to family in the taxonomic hierarchy.