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5. Taxonomy

IMGT Taxonomy tree

Immunoglobulins (IG), T cell receptors (TR) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) appeared in the early jawed vertebrates about 450 millions years ago. These complex gene families are responsible of the specific (or adaptive) immune response in vertebrates.

The IMGT taxonomy tree describes the classification of the vertebrate species present in IMGT/LIGM-DB the largest IMGT database, and in the other IMGT databases, Web ressources and tools, according to the NCBI taxonomy (1).

All levels of classification shown in the trees (except the ones in dotted rectangles) can be queried in the Taxonomy module of IMGT/LIGM-DB.
Most species English names can also be queried.

Click on yellow rectangles to see the IMGT taxonomy detailed trees.

vertebrata chondrichthyes actinopterygii tetrapoda euteleostei eutheria rodentia primates IMGT Taxonomy tree

IMGT taxonomy detailed trees

Vertebrata → Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes)
→ Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) → Euteleostei
→ Tetrapoda (tetrapods) → Eutheria (placentals) → Rodentia (rodents)
→ Primates

Non-vertebrates in IMGT/LIGM-DB

Exceptionally, non-vertebrate sequences have been entered in IMGT-LIGM-DB. There are :

IMGT note:
(1) For vertebrates with IG, TR and MHC (that is jawed vertebrates or Gnathostomata):
Go to the "The taxonomy browser" page.
In "Query", tape "Vertebrata".
Start Search. Then click on "Gnathostomata".