diff --git a/app/assets/stylesheets/custom.scss b/app/assets/stylesheets/custom.scss
index eaaa3f8c..2d7721c5 100644
--- a/app/assets/stylesheets/custom.scss
+++ b/app/assets/stylesheets/custom.scss
@@ -60,6 +60,26 @@ input[type=checkbox] {
   accent-color: theme-color-level(primary, 0);
 }
 
+.easy-autocomplete {
+  width: 100%;
+}
+
+.placement-form {
+  #incertae-sedis {
+    display: none;
+  }
+
+  &:has([name="placement[incertae_sedis]"][value="true"]:checked) {
+    #standard-placement {
+      display: none;
+    }
+
+    #incertae-sedis {
+      display: block;
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 #dashboard-actions, .btn {
   .fa, .fas, .far, .fal, .fad, .fab {
     min-width: 1.5em;
@@ -378,4 +398,3 @@ nav.navbar {
   [data-rank=g] { color: hsl(280deg, 80%, 30%); }
   [data-rank=s] { color: hsl(320deg, 80%, 30%); }
 }
-
diff --git a/app/controllers/names_controller.rb b/app/controllers/names_controller.rb
index a7c26ee3..8252c947 100644
--- a/app/controllers/names_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/names_controller.rb
@@ -52,19 +52,17 @@ class NamesController < ApplicationController
   before_action(:authenticate_can_edit_validated!, only: %i[update edit_links])
 
   # GET /names/autocomplete.json?q=Maco
-  # GET /names/autocomplete.json?q=Allo&rank=genus
-  # GET /names/autocomplete.json?q=Pseu&minimum_rank=class
+  # GET /names/autocomplete.json?q=Allo&ranks=genus
+  # GET /names/autocomplete.json?q=Pseu&ranks=domain,phylum,class
   def autocomplete
     name = params[:q].downcase
-    rank = params[:rank]&.downcase
-    minimum_rank = params[:minimum_rank]&.downcase
     @names =
       Name.where('LOWER(name) LIKE ?', "#{name}%")
           .or(Name.where('LOWER(name) LIKE ?', "% #{name}%"))
           .limit(20)
-    @names = @names.where(rank: rank) if rank
-    minimum_ranks = Name.ranks_at_or_above(minimum_rank)
-    @names = @names.where(rank: minimum_ranks) if minimum_ranks
+    if params.key?(:ranks)
+      @names = @names.where(rank: params[:ranks].downcase.split(','))
+    end
     @names = @names.where(redirect: nil)
   end
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/placements_controller.rb b/app/controllers/placements_controller.rb
index 270c7782..9cc8fc36 100644
--- a/app/controllers/placements_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/placements_controller.rb
@@ -46,10 +46,11 @@ def update
   def create_or_update(back_action)
     par = params.require(:placement).permit(
       :incertae_sedis, :incertae_sedis_text,
-      :parent, :preferred, :publication
+      :parent, :incertae_sedis_parent, :preferred, :publication
     )
     @placement.incertae_sedis = par[:incertae_sedis].presence
     @placement.incertae_sedis_text = par[:incertae_sedis_text]
+    par[:parent] = par[:incertae_sedis_parent] if @placement.incertae_sedis?
     if @name.placement
       @placement.preferred = par[:preferred] if current_user.curator?
     else
@@ -103,7 +104,8 @@ def create_or_update(back_action)
             old_placement.update!(preferred: false)
           end
           @name.update!(
-            parent: @placement.parent, assigned_in: @placement.publication,
+            parent: @placement.incertae_sedis? ? nil : @placement.parent,
+            assigned_in: @placement.publication,
           )
         end
       rescue
@@ -125,7 +127,7 @@ def prefer
       @name.placement.try(:update!, preferred: false)
       @placement.update!(preferred: true)
       @name.update!(
-        parent: @placement.parent,
+        parent: @placement.incertae_sedis? ? nil : @placement.parent,
         assigned_in: @placement.publication
       )
       ok = true
diff --git a/app/javascript/packs/application.js b/app/javascript/packs/application.js
index 82a89a43..ead3615e 100644
--- a/app/javascript/packs/application.js
+++ b/app/javascript/packs/application.js
@@ -29,4 +29,3 @@ import "packs/network";
 import "packs/styling";
 import "packs/copyable";
 import "channels/index.js";
-
diff --git a/app/javascript/packs/autocomplete.js b/app/javascript/packs/autocomplete.js
index 7490ca85..cba1cbcf 100644
--- a/app/javascript/packs/autocomplete.js
+++ b/app/javascript/packs/autocomplete.js
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 
 $(document).on("turbolinks:load", function() {
   var eac_options = {
+    adjustWidth: false,
     url: function(phrase) {
       var data = $($(event)[0]["srcElement"]).data();
       var what = data["autocomplete"];
       var url = new URL(what + "/autocomplete.json", ROOT_PATH);
       url.searchParams.set("q", phrase);
-      if(data["rank"]) { url.searchParams.set("rank", data["rank"]); }
-      if(data["minimumRank"]) {
-        url.searchParams.set("minimum_rank", data["minimumRank"]);
+      if(data["ranks"] !== undefined) {
+        url.searchParams.set("ranks", data["ranks"].join(","));
       }
       return url.toString();
     },
diff --git a/app/models/name.rb b/app/models/name.rb
index 9fef19ca..be09dbfa 100644
--- a/app/models/name.rb
+++ b/app/models/name.rb
@@ -1018,9 +1018,7 @@ def lineage(with_self: false)
   def lineage_parent
     return parent if parent
 
-    if incertae_sedis? && incertae_sedis =~ /Incertae sedis \((.+)\)/
-      self.class.find_by_variants($1)
-    end
+    placement.parent if incertae_sedis?
   end
 
   def type_name_alt_placement
@@ -1486,11 +1484,9 @@ def harmonize_register_and_status
   end
 
   def ensure_consistent_placement
-    placement_incertae_sedis = incertae_sedis
-
-    if parent_id.present? || placement_incertae_sedis.present?
+    if parent_id.present?
       pp = placements.where(
-        parent_id: parent_id, incertae_sedis: placement_incertae_sedis
+        parent_id: parent_id, incertae_sedis: false
       ).first
       if pp.present?
         if pp.preferred?
@@ -1503,10 +1499,12 @@ def ensure_consistent_placement
           Placement.new(
             name_id: id,
             parent_id: parent_id,
-            incertae_sedis: placement_incertae_sedis,
+            incertae_sedis: false,
             preferred: true
           ).save
       end
+    elsif placements.where(preferred: true, incertae_sedis: true).exists?
+      true
     else
       # Conservatively preserve as alternative placement
       placements.update(preferred: false)
diff --git a/app/models/name/quality_checks.rb b/app/models/name/quality_checks.rb
index 03268929..76f60aa8 100644
--- a/app/models/name/quality_checks.rb
+++ b/app/models/name/quality_checks.rb
@@ -112,15 +112,17 @@ class QcWarning
       inconsistent_parent_rank: {
         message: ->(_w, n) {
           <<~MSG
-            The parent rank (#{n.parent.inferred_rank}) is inconsistent 
+            The parent rank (#{n.placement.parent.inferred_rank}) is inconsistent 
             with the rank of this name (#{n.inferred_rank})
           MSG
         },
         area:    :nomenclature,
         rules:   %w[7a 7b],
-        scope:   ->(_w, n) { n.rank? && n.parent&.rank? },
+        scope:   ->(_w, n) {
+          n.rank? && n.placement&.parent&.rank?
+        },
         failure: ->(_w, n) {
-          n.class.ranks.index(n.rank) != n.class.ranks.index(n.parent.rank) + 1
+          !n.placement.allowed_parent_ranks.include?(n.placement.parent.rank)
         }
       }.merge(@@link_to_edit_parent),
       # - Rules 7c and 7d are implied by the structure of the SeqCode Registry
@@ -141,7 +143,10 @@ class QcWarning
         link_to: ->(_w, n) { [:edit_parent, n] },
         recommendations: %w[7],
         scope:   ->(_w, n) { n.rank? && !n.top_rank? },
-        failure: ->(_w, n) { !n.incertae_sedis? && !n.parent.present? }
+        failure: ->(_w, n) {
+          parent = n.incertae_sedis? ? n.placement.parent : n.parent
+          !parent.present?
+        }
       },
 
       # Section 3. Naming of Taxa
diff --git a/app/models/placement.rb b/app/models/placement.rb
index 8856977d..45592fa6 100644
--- a/app/models/placement.rb
+++ b/app/models/placement.rb
@@ -5,16 +5,12 @@ class Placement < ApplicationRecord
   )
   belongs_to(:publication, optional: true)
   validates(:name, presence: true)
-  validates(:parent, presence: true, unless: :incertae_sedis?)
+  validates(:parent, presence: true)
 
   has_rich_text(:incertae_sedis_text)
   validates(:incertae_sedis_text, presence: true, if: :incertae_sedis?)
-  validates(:incertae_sedis, presence: true, allow_nil: true)
   validates(
-    :incertae_sedis, absence: {
-      if: :parent,
-      message: 'cannot be declared if the parent taxon is set'
-    }
+    :incertae_sedis, inclusion: { in: [true, false] }
   )
   validates(:preferred, uniqueness: { scope: :name_id, if: :preferred? })
 
@@ -23,7 +19,20 @@ class Placement < ApplicationRecord
   def incertae_sedis_html
     return '' unless incertae_sedis?
 
-    incertae_sedis.gsub(/(incertae sedis)/i, '<i>\\1</i>').html_safe
+    ActionController::Base.helpers.safe_join(
+      ['<i>incertae sedis</i>'.html_safe, (" (#{parent.name})" if parent)].compact
+    )
+  end
+
+  def allowed_parent_ranks(incertae_sedis: incertae_sedis?)
+    rank_index = name&.rank_index
+    return [] unless rank_index && rank_index.positive?
+
+    if incertae_sedis
+      Name.ranks.take(rank_index - 1)
+    else
+      [Name.ranks[rank_index - 1]]
+    end
   end
 
   def downwards?
@@ -36,6 +45,6 @@ def downwards?
   private
 
   def harmonize_name_parent
-    name.update(parent: parent) if preferred
+    name.update(parent: incertae_sedis? ? nil : parent) if preferred
   end
 end
diff --git a/app/models/tutorial/batch.rb b/app/models/tutorial/batch.rb
index 197ac59b..bca322f3 100644
--- a/app/models/tutorial/batch.rb
+++ b/app/models/tutorial/batch.rb
@@ -54,9 +54,11 @@ def param_names
 
           # Deal with foreign keys
           if j['parent'] &&
-               j['parent'] =~ /^incertae sedis( \((Archaea|Bacteria)\))?/
-            j['incertae_sedis'] = j['parent']
-            j['parent'] = nil
+               match = j['parent'].match(
+                 /^incertae sedis( \((Archaea|Bacteria)\))?/
+               )
+            j['incertae_sedis'] = true
+            j['parent'] = match[2]
           end
           j['parent'] &&= Name.new(name: j['parent'])
           if j['nomenclatural_type_type'].to_s.downcase == 'name' &&
@@ -80,7 +82,7 @@ def ephemeral_names
         name_attributes = i.except('parent', 'incertae_sedis')
         placement_attributes = {
           parent: i['parent'],
-          incertae_sedis: i['incertae_sedis'],
+          incertae_sedis: i['incertae_sedis'] || false,
           preferred: true
         }
         if i['incertae_sedis'].present?
@@ -348,7 +350,6 @@ def batch_step_01(params, user)
       default_pars = { status: 0, created_by: user }
       param_names.each do |par|
         new_par = {}
-        placement_par = nil
 
         # Parents
         if par['parent']
@@ -357,16 +358,14 @@ def batch_step_01(params, user)
             parent = Name.new(default_pars.merge(name: par['parent'].name))
             parent.save!
           end
-          placement_par = {
-            parent: parent,
-            incertae_sedis: nil
-          }
-        elsif par['incertae_sedis']
-          placement_par = {
-            parent: nil,
-            incertae_sedis: par['incertae_sedis'],
-            incertae_sedis_text: par['description']
-          }
+          name = Name.find_by_variants(par['name'])
+          placement = name.placements.find_or_initialize_by(parent: parent)
+          name.placements.where(preferred: true).where.not(id: placement.id)
+              .find_each { |current| current.update!(preferred: false) }
+          placement.update!(
+            incertae_sedis: par['incertae_sedis'] || false,
+            incertae_sedis_text: par['description'], preferred: true
+          )
         end
 
         # Nomenclatural types
@@ -387,16 +386,7 @@ def batch_step_01(params, user)
           end
         end
 
-        name = Name.find_by_variants(par['name'])
-        name.update!(new_par)
-        if placement_par
-          placement = name.placements.find_or_initialize_by(
-            parent: placement_par[:parent],
-            incertae_sedis: placement_par[:incertae_sedis]
-          )
-          name.placements.where.not(id: placement.id).update_all(preferred: false)
-          placement.update!(placement_par.merge(preferred: true))
-        end
+        Name.find_by_variants(par['name']).update!(new_par)
       end
 
       # If all is good, go to next step
diff --git a/app/views/dev/autocomplete.html.erb b/app/views/dev/autocomplete.html.erb
index d02e6577..cf87709c 100644
--- a/app/views/dev/autocomplete.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/dev/autocomplete.html.erb
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
       <label for="autocomplete-phylum">Phylum only</label>
       <input id="autocomplete-phylum" class="form-control" type="text"
              value="Pseu" data-behavior="autocomplete"
-             data-autocomplete="names" data-rank="phylum">
+             data-autocomplete="names" data-ranks='["phylum"]'>
     </div>
   </div>
 
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@
       <label for="autocomplete-class-or-above">Class or above</label>
       <input id="autocomplete-class-or-above" class="form-control" type="text"
              value="Bac" data-behavior="autocomplete"
-             data-autocomplete="names" data-minimum-rank="class">
+             data-autocomplete="names"
+             data-ranks='<%= Name.ranks_at_or_above('class').to_json %>'>
       <small class="form-text text-muted">Domain, phylum, or class.</small>
     </div>
 
@@ -43,7 +44,8 @@
       <label for="autocomplete-genus-or-above">Genus or above</label>
       <input id="autocomplete-genus-or-above" class="form-control" type="text"
              value="Escher" data-behavior="autocomplete"
-             data-autocomplete="names" data-minimum-rank="genus">
+             data-autocomplete="names"
+             data-ranks='<%= Name.ranks_at_or_above('genus').to_json %>'>
       <small class="form-text text-muted">
         Domain through genus; excludes species and subspecies.
       </small>
diff --git a/app/views/placements/_form.html.erb b/app/views/placements/_form.html.erb
index 5725a901..29486cab 100644
--- a/app/views/placements/_form.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/placements/_form.html.erb
@@ -14,29 +14,95 @@
 <%= simple_form_for(
       @placement,
       url: @placement.persisted? ? @placement : placements_url,
-      html: { method: @placement.persisted? ? :patch : :post }
+      html: {
+        method: @placement.persisted? ? :patch : :post,
+        class: 'placement-form'
+      }
     ) do |f| %>
 
   <%= f.input(:name_id, as: :hidden) %>
 
-  <h3>Parent taxon</h3>
-  <p class="lead">
-    Indicate the name of the parent taxon in the rank of
-    <%= @name.expected_parent_rank %>
-  </p>
-  <%=
-    f.input(
-      :parent, autofocus: true,
-      label: @name.expected_parent_rank.try(:capitalize),
-      input_html: {
-        value: @placement.parent.try(:name),
-        data: {
-          behavior: 'autocomplete', autocomplete: 'names',
-          rank: @name.expected_parent_rank
+  <h3>Placement type</h3>
+  <p class="text-muted">Choose how precisely this taxon can be placed.</p>
+  <div class="row mb-4">
+    <div class="col-md-6 mb-2 mb-md-0">
+      <label class="border rounded p-3 d-flex w-100 h-100">
+        <%= f.radio_button(
+              :incertae_sedis, false, checked: !@placement.incertae_sedis?,
+              class: 'mr-3 mt-1'
+            ) %>
+        <span>
+          <strong class="d-block">Fixed placement</strong>
+          <small class="text-muted">
+            I know the immediate parent <%= @name.expected_parent_rank %>.
+          </small>
+        </span>
+      </label>
+    </div>
+    <div class="col-md-6">
+      <label class="border rounded p-3 d-flex w-100 h-100">
+        <%= f.radio_button(
+              :incertae_sedis, true, checked: @placement.incertae_sedis?,
+              class: 'mr-3 mt-1'
+            ) %>
+        <span>
+          <strong class="d-block"><i>Incertae sedis</i></strong>
+          <small class="text-muted">
+            I know a broader group, but not the immediate parent.
+          </small>
+        </span>
+      </label>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <fieldset class="form-group border rounded p-3">
+  <legend class="w-auto px-2 h5">Placement details</legend>
+  <div id="placement-fields">
+  <div id="standard-placement">
+    <%=
+      f.input(
+        :parent, autofocus: !@placement.incertae_sedis?,
+        label: "Parent #{@name.expected_parent_rank}",
+        input_html: {
+          id: 'standard-placement-parent',
+          value: @placement.parent.try(:name),
+          data: {
+            behavior: 'autocomplete', autocomplete: 'names',
+            ranks: @placement.allowed_parent_ranks(incertae_sedis: false)
+          }
         }
-      }
-    )
-  %>
+      )
+    %>
+  </div>
+
+  <div id="incertae-sedis">
+    <%=
+      f.input(
+        :parent, autofocus: @placement.incertae_sedis?,
+        label: 'Uncertain within',
+        hint: "Select a taxon at least two ranks above #{@name.rank}.",
+        input_html: {
+          id: 'incertae-sedis-parent',
+          name: 'placement[incertae_sedis_parent]',
+          value: @placement.parent.try(:name),
+          data: {
+            behavior: 'autocomplete', autocomplete: 'names',
+            ranks: @placement.allowed_parent_ranks(incertae_sedis: true)
+          }
+        }
+      )
+    %>
+    <%=
+      f.input(
+        :incertae_sedis_text,
+        label: 'Description of the classification problems',
+        as: :rich_text_area
+      )
+    %>
+  </div>
+  </div>
+  </fieldset>
+
   <%=
     f.input(
       :publication,
@@ -56,32 +122,6 @@
   <% end %>
   <br/>
 
-  <div class="border-left pl-3">
-  <h3>Or declare <i>incertae sedis</i></h3>
-  <p class="lead">
-    Alternatively, you can indicate that the classification of this taxon is
-    uncertain and why
-  </p>
-  <%=
-    f.input(
-      :incertae_sedis,
-      collection: [
-        'Incertae sedis',
-        'Incertae sedis (Bacteria)',
-        'Incertae sedis (Archaea)'
-      ]
-    )
-  %>
-  <%=
-    f.input(
-      :incertae_sedis_text,
-      label: 'Description of the classification problems',
-      as: :rich_text_area
-    )
-  %>
-  </div>
-  <br/>
-
   <%= f.button(:submit, 'Submit') %>
   <%= link_to('Cancel', @name, role: 'button', class: 'btn btn-secondary') %>
   <br/><br/>
diff --git a/app/views/tutorials/batch/_01.html.erb b/app/views/tutorials/batch/_01.html.erb
index 3648aa67..60cf0da5 100644
--- a/app/views/tutorials/batch/_01.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/tutorials/batch/_01.html.erb
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@
               <%= name.name_html %>
               <span class="text-muted">
                 - <%= name.rank %> of
-                  <%= placement.parent.try(:name_html) ||
-                      placement.incertae_sedis_html.presence || 'unknown' %>
+                  <%= placement.incertae_sedis_html.presence ||
+                      placement.parent.try(:name_html) || 'unknown' %>
               </span>
             </button>
           </h2>
diff --git a/db/migrate/20260828100000_rename_placement_incertae_sedis_to_legacy.rb b/db/migrate/20260828100000_rename_placement_incertae_sedis_to_legacy.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2a83ac43
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20260828100000_rename_placement_incertae_sedis_to_legacy.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+class RenamePlacementIncertaeSedisToLegacy < ActiveRecord::Migration[6.1]
+  def up
+    rename_column :placements, :incertae_sedis, :incertae_sedis_legacy
+    add_column :placements, :incertae_sedis, :boolean, null: false, default: false
+
+    execute <<~SQL
+      UPDATE placements
+      SET incertae_sedis = TRUE
+      WHERE LOWER(TRIM(incertae_sedis_legacy::text)) NOT IN ('', 'false', 'f', '0')
+    SQL
+
+    %w[Bacteria Archaea].each do |domain|
+      execute <<~SQL
+        UPDATE placements
+        SET parent_id = (SELECT id FROM names WHERE name = '#{domain}' LIMIT 1)
+        WHERE LOWER(TRIM(incertae_sedis_legacy::text)) =
+          'incertae sedis (#{domain.downcase})'
+      SQL
+    end
+  end
+
+  def down
+    remove_column :placements, :incertae_sedis
+    rename_column :placements, :incertae_sedis_legacy, :incertae_sedis
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/schema.rb b/db/schema.rb
index 6f900aa0..247174a2 100644
--- a/db/schema.rb
+++ b/db/schema.rb
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 #
 # It's strongly recommended that you check this file into your version control system.
 
-ActiveRecord::Schema.define(version: 2026_08_19_100000) do
+ActiveRecord::Schema.define(version: 2026_08_28_100000) do
 
   # These are extensions that must be enabled in order to support this database
   enable_extension "fuzzystrmatch"
@@ -331,9 +331,10 @@
     t.boolean "preferred", default: false
     t.datetime "created_at", precision: 6, null: false
     t.datetime "updated_at", precision: 6, null: false
-    t.string "incertae_sedis"
+    t.string "incertae_sedis_legacy"
     t.boolean "gtdb_taxonomy"
     t.boolean "ncbi_taxonomy"
+    t.boolean "incertae_sedis", default: false, null: false
     t.index ["name_id"], name: "index_placements_on_name_id"
     t.index ["publication_id"], name: "index_placements_on_publication_id"
   end
diff --git a/test/controllers/names_controller_test.rb b/test/controllers/names_controller_test.rb
index 4a63d187..d0dbd8ec 100644
--- a/test/controllers/names_controller_test.rb
+++ b/test/controllers/names_controller_test.rb
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class NamesControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
 
   test 'autocomplete filters names to an exact rank' do
     get autocomplete_names_url(
-      format: :json, q: 'Bacill', rank: 'phylum'
+      format: :json, q: 'Bacill', ranks: 'phylum'
     )
 
     assert_response :success
@@ -54,15 +54,30 @@ class NamesControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
     assert_includes entry['display'], '>phylum</small>'
   end
 
-  test 'autocomplete filters names to a minimum rank level' do
+  test 'autocomplete filters names to allowed ranks' do
     get autocomplete_names_url(
-      format: :json, q: 'Bacill', minimum_rank: 'class'
+      format: :json, q: 'Bacill', ranks: 'domain,phylum,class'
     )
 
     assert_response :success
     assert_equal %w[Bacilli Bacillota], autocomplete_values.sort
   end
 
+  test 'autocomplete returns no names for an empty ranks list' do
+    get autocomplete_names_url(format: :json, q: 'Escherichia', ranks: '')
+
+    assert_response :success
+    assert_empty autocomplete_values
+  end
+
+  test 'autocomplete without ranks includes all matching ranks' do
+    get autocomplete_names_url(format: :json, q: 'Escherichia')
+
+    assert_response :success
+    assert_includes autocomplete_values, names(:escherichia).name
+    assert_includes autocomplete_values, names(:escherichia_coli).name
+  end
+
   test 'add_paratype_strain_commit ignores a tampered name_id' do
     sign_in(users(:curator))
     target_name = names(:unregistered)
diff --git a/test/controllers/placements_controller_test.rb b/test/controllers/placements_controller_test.rb
index 3e4ba8f6..4231ac99 100644
--- a/test/controllers/placements_controller_test.rb
+++ b/test/controllers/placements_controller_test.rb
@@ -1,8 +1,54 @@
 require 'test_helper'
 
 class PlacementsControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
+  include Devise::Test::IntegrationHelpers
+
   setup do
-    @placement = placements(:one)
+    @curator = users(:curator)
+    @name = names(:draft_by_contributor)
+    sign_in(@curator)
+  end
+
+  test 'creates a preferred incertae sedis placement' do
+    assert_difference('Placement.count', 1) do
+      post placements_url, params: {
+        placement: {
+          name_id: @name.id,
+          incertae_sedis_parent: names(:bacteria).name,
+          incertae_sedis: '1',
+          incertae_sedis_text: 'No reliable higher placement is known.'
+        }
+      }
+    end
+
+    placement = @name.reload.placement
+    assert_redirected_to name_url(@name)
+    assert_predicate placement, :preferred?
+    assert_equal names(:bacteria), placement.parent
+    assert_predicate placement, :incertae_sedis?
+    assert_equal(
+      'No reliable higher placement is known.',
+      placement.incertae_sedis_text.to_plain_text
+    )
+    assert_nil @name.parent
   end
 
+  test 'creates a preferred non-incertae sedis placement' do
+    assert_difference('Placement.count', 1) do
+      post placements_url, params: {
+        placement: {
+          name_id: @name.id,
+          parent: names(:escherichia).name,
+          incertae_sedis: '0'
+        }
+      }
+    end
+
+    placement = @name.reload.placement
+    assert_redirected_to name_url(@name)
+    assert_predicate placement, :preferred?
+    assert_equal names(:escherichia), placement.parent
+    assert_not_predicate placement, :incertae_sedis?
+    assert_equal names(:escherichia), @name.parent
+  end
 end
diff --git a/test/fixtures/names.yml b/test/fixtures/names.yml
index 147fc169..32c85686 100644
--- a/test/fixtures/names.yml
+++ b/test/fixtures/names.yml
@@ -24,6 +24,26 @@ escherichia_colie:
   rank: species
   status: 5 # draft
 
+bacteria:
+  name: Bacteria
+  rank: domain
+  status: 15 # SeqCode
+
+incertae_sedis_with_distant_parent:
+  name: Testimonas
+  rank: genus
+  status: 15 # SeqCode
+
+incertae_sedis_with_immediate_parent:
+  name: Escherichia fergusonii
+  rank: species
+  status: 15 # SeqCode
+
+incertae_sedis_with_same_rank_parent:
+  name: Escherichia albertii
+  rank: species
+  status: 15 # SeqCode
+
 bacillus:
   name: Bacillus
   rank: genus
diff --git a/test/fixtures/placements.yml b/test/fixtures/placements.yml
index 354db503..30b22d42 100644
--- a/test/fixtures/placements.yml
+++ b/test/fixtures/placements.yml
@@ -17,5 +17,24 @@ escherichia_coli:
 
 incertae_sedis:
   name: incertae_sedis
+  parent: bacteria
   preferred: true
-  incertae_sedis: Incertae sedis (Bacteria)
+  incertae_sedis: true
+
+incertae_sedis_with_distant_parent:
+  name: incertae_sedis_with_distant_parent
+  parent: bacteria
+  preferred: true
+  incertae_sedis: true
+
+incertae_sedis_with_immediate_parent:
+  name: incertae_sedis_with_immediate_parent
+  parent: escherichia
+  preferred: true
+  incertae_sedis: true
+
+incertae_sedis_with_same_rank_parent:
+  name: incertae_sedis_with_same_rank_parent
+  parent: escherichia_coli
+  preferred: true
+  incertae_sedis: true
diff --git a/test/models/name/quality_checks_test.rb b/test/models/name/quality_checks_test.rb
index 0011ddb3..f2be34a9 100644
--- a/test/models/name/quality_checks_test.rb
+++ b/test/models/name/quality_checks_test.rb
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@ def evaluate(name, check)
     Name::QualityChecks::QcWarningSet.new(name).evaluate(check)
   end
 
+  def warning(name, check)
+    Name::QualityChecks::QcWarning.new(check, name: name)
+  end
+
   test 'malformed_subspecies_name does not raise and flags a malformed name' do
     name = Name.new(
       name: 'Testimonas exampleensis testus', rank: 'subspecies'
@@ -42,6 +46,100 @@ def evaluate(name, check)
     assert_not(evaluate(name, :inconsistent_language))
   end
 
+  test 'inconsistent_parent_rank does not flag a parent one rank above' do
+    name = names(:escherichia_coli)
+    qc = warning(name, :inconsistent_parent_rank)
+
+    assert_predicate(qc, :scope)
+    assert_not_predicate(qc, :failure)
+  end
+
+  test 'inconsistent_parent_rank flags a parent more than one rank above' do
+    name = names(:escherichia_coli)
+    name.placement.parent = Name.new(name: 'Enterobacteriaceae', rank: 'family')
+    qc = warning(name, :inconsistent_parent_rank)
+
+    assert_predicate(qc, :scope)
+    assert_predicate(qc, :failure)
+  end
+
+  test 'inconsistent_parent_rank flags a parent at the same rank' do
+    name = names(:escherichia_coli)
+    name.placement.parent = names(:bacillus_subtilis)
+    qc = warning(name, :inconsistent_parent_rank)
+
+    assert_predicate(qc, :scope)
+    assert_predicate(qc, :failure)
+  end
+
+  test 'inconsistent_parent_rank is out of scope without a parent rank' do
+    name = names(:escherichia_coli)
+    name.placement.parent.rank = nil
+    qc = warning(name, :inconsistent_parent_rank)
+
+    assert_not_predicate(qc, :scope)
+  end
+
+  test 'inconsistent_parent_rank is out of scope without a placement' do
+    name = Name.new(name: 'Escherichia coli', rank: 'species')
+
+    assert_not_predicate(warning(name, :inconsistent_parent_rank), :scope)
+  end
+
+  test 'inconsistent_parent_rank is out of scope without a name rank' do
+    name = names(:escherichia_coli)
+    name.rank = nil
+
+    assert_not_predicate(warning(name, :inconsistent_parent_rank), :scope)
+  end
+
+  test 'incertae sedis parent rank accepts a parent two or more ranks above' do
+    name = names(:incertae_sedis_with_distant_parent)
+    qc = warning(name, :inconsistent_parent_rank)
+
+    assert_predicate(qc, :scope)
+    assert_not_predicate(qc, :failure)
+  end
+
+  test 'incertae sedis parent rank flags a parent one rank above' do
+    name = names(:incertae_sedis_with_immediate_parent)
+    assert_nil name.parent
+    qc = warning(name, :inconsistent_parent_rank)
+
+    assert_predicate(qc, :scope)
+    assert_predicate(qc, :failure)
+    assert_includes(qc.message, 'parent rank (genus)')
+  end
+
+  test 'incertae sedis parent rank flags a parent at the same rank' do
+    name = names(:incertae_sedis_with_same_rank_parent)
+    qc = warning(name, :inconsistent_parent_rank)
+
+    assert_predicate(qc, :scope)
+    assert_predicate(qc, :failure)
+  end
+
+  test 'missing_parent flags a non-top-rank name without a placement' do
+    name = names(:bacillus_subtilis)
+    qc = warning(name, :missing_parent)
+
+    assert_predicate(qc, :scope)
+    assert_predicate(qc, :failure)
+  end
+
+  test 'missing_parent accepts an incertae sedis placement with a parent' do
+    name = names(:luteria_ianthellae)
+    Placement.create!(
+      name: name, parent: names(:bacteria), preferred: true,
+      incertae_sedis: true,
+      incertae_sedis_text: 'Its precise placement within Bacteria is unknown.'
+    )
+    qc = warning(name, :missing_parent)
+
+    assert_predicate(qc, :scope)
+    assert_not_predicate(qc, :failure)
+  end
+
   test 'binary_name_above_species flags a multi-word genus name' do
     name = Name.new(name: 'Testimonas exampleensis', rank: 'genus')
 
diff --git a/test/models/name_test.rb b/test/models/name_test.rb
index fd250476..c590bd6f 100644
--- a/test/models/name_test.rb
+++ b/test/models/name_test.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,30 @@
 require 'test_helper'
 
 class NameTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
+  test 'lineage follows the parent for a normally placed species' do
+    name = names(:escherichia_coli)
+
+    assert_equal names(:escherichia), name.lineage_parent
+    assert_equal [names(:escherichia), name], name.lineage(with_self: true)
+  end
+
+  test 'incertae sedis lineage follows the preferred placement parent' do
+    name = names(:escherichia_coli)
+    name.parent = nil
+    name.placement.incertae_sedis = true
+    name.placement.parent = names(:bacteria)
+
+    assert_equal names(:bacteria), name.lineage_parent
+    assert_equal [names(:bacteria), name], name.lineage(with_self: true)
+  end
+
+  test 'lineage without a parent or preferred placement contains only itself' do
+    name = Name.new(name: 'Escherichia coli', rank: 'species')
+
+    assert_nil name.lineage_parent
+    assert_equal [name], name.lineage(with_self: true)
+  end
+
   test 'ranks at or above returns ranks from domain through the given rank' do
     assert_equal %w[domain phylum class], Name.ranks_at_or_above('class')
   end
@@ -32,7 +56,7 @@ class NameTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     name = names(:incertae_sedis)
 
     assert_equal(
-      '<i>Incertae sedis</i> (Bacteria)', name.incertae_sedis_html
+      '<i>incertae sedis</i> (Bacteria)', name.incertae_sedis_html
     )
   end
 end
diff --git a/test/models/placement_test.rb b/test/models/placement_test.rb
index 4c0aadf1..87fbf43d 100644
--- a/test/models/placement_test.rb
+++ b/test/models/placement_test.rb
@@ -1,7 +1,83 @@
 require 'test_helper'
 
 class PlacementTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
-  # test "the truth" do
-  #   assert true
-  # end
+  test 'placement has a parent' do
+    placement = Placement.new(
+      name: names(:escherichia_coli), parent: names(:escherichia),
+      incertae_sedis: false
+    )
+
+    assert_predicate placement, :valid?
+  end
+
+  test 'incertae sedis placement can have a parent' do
+    placement = Placement.new(
+      name: names(:escherichia), parent: names(:bacteria), incertae_sedis: true,
+      incertae_sedis_text: 'Its placement within Bacteria is unresolved.'
+    )
+
+    assert_predicate placement, :valid?
+  end
+
+  test 'fixed placement allows only the immediate parent rank' do
+    placement = Placement.new(name: names(:escherichia_coli), incertae_sedis: false)
+
+    assert_equal ['genus'], placement.allowed_parent_ranks
+  end
+
+  test 'incertae sedis allows all ranks at least two above the name' do
+    placement = Placement.new(name: names(:escherichia_coli), incertae_sedis: true)
+
+    assert_equal %w[domain phylum class order family], placement.allowed_parent_ranks
+    assert_equal ['genus'], placement.allowed_parent_ranks(incertae_sedis: false)
+  end
+
+  test 'placement allows no parent ranks without higher ranks or a name' do
+    [names(:bacteria), nil].each do |name|
+      placement = Placement.new(name: name)
+
+      assert_empty placement.allowed_parent_ranks(incertae_sedis: false)
+      assert_empty placement.allowed_parent_ranks(incertae_sedis: true)
+    end
+  end
+
+  test 'phylum allows a fixed domain parent but no incertae sedis parent' do
+    placement = Placement.new(name: Name.new(name: 'Bacillota', rank: 'phylum'))
+
+    assert_equal ['domain'], placement.allowed_parent_ranks(incertae_sedis: false)
+    assert_empty placement.allowed_parent_ranks(incertae_sedis: true)
+  end
+
+  test 'preferred incertae sedis parent is not synced to the name' do
+    name = names(:escherichia)
+    placement = Placement.create!(
+      name: name, parent: names(:bacteria), incertae_sedis: true,
+      incertae_sedis_text: 'Its placement within Bacteria is unresolved.',
+      preferred: true
+    )
+
+    assert_equal names(:bacteria), placement.parent
+    assert_nil name.reload.parent
+  end
+
+  test 'incertae sedis placement must have a parent' do
+    placement = Placement.new(
+      name: names(:escherichia), incertae_sedis: true,
+      incertae_sedis_text: 'Its placement is unresolved.'
+    )
+
+    assert_not_predicate placement, :valid?
+    assert_includes placement.errors[:parent], "can't be blank"
+  end
+
+  test 'incertae sedis HTML includes its parent' do
+    placement = Placement.new(
+      name: names(:escherichia), parent: names(:bacteria), incertae_sedis: true
+    )
+
+    assert_equal(
+      '<i>incertae sedis</i> (Bacteria)', placement.incertae_sedis_html
+    )
+  end
+
 end
diff --git a/test/models/tutorial_test.rb b/test/models/tutorial_test.rb
index 6146544f..789df3fc 100644
--- a/test/models/tutorial_test.rb
+++ b/test/models/tutorial_test.rb
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@ class TutorialTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     assert_nil name[:incertae_sedis]
     assert_same name, placement.name
     assert_equal 'Nanobdellaceae', placement.parent.name
-    assert_nil placement.incertae_sedis
+    assert_not_predicate placement, :incertae_sedis?
+    assert_equal false, placement.incertae_sedis
+    placement.validate
+    assert_empty placement.errors[:incertae_sedis]
     assert_empty placement.incertae_sedis_text.to_plain_text
   end
 
@@ -35,8 +38,8 @@ class TutorialTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     )
     assert_nil name.parent
     assert_nil name[:incertae_sedis]
-    assert_nil placement.parent
-    assert_equal 'incertae sedis (Bacteria)', placement.incertae_sedis
+    assert_equal names(:bacteria).name, placement.parent.name
+    assert_predicate placement, :incertae_sedis?
     assert_equal(
       tutorial.value(:names).first['description'],
       placement.incertae_sedis_text.to_plain_text
@@ -56,7 +59,7 @@ class TutorialTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     assert_predicate placement, :preferred?
     assert_equal parent, placement.parent
     assert_equal parent, name.parent
-    assert_nil placement.incertae_sedis
+    assert_not_predicate placement, :incertae_sedis?
   end
 
   test 'batch updates a claimable name with a preferred placement' do
@@ -110,9 +113,9 @@ class TutorialTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
 
     assert_not_nil placement
     assert_predicate placement, :preferred?
-    assert_nil placement.parent
+    assert_equal names(:bacteria), placement.parent
     assert_nil name.parent
-    assert_equal 'incertae sedis (Bacteria)', placement.incertae_sedis
+    assert_predicate placement, :incertae_sedis?
     assert_equal explanation, placement.incertae_sedis_text.to_plain_text
     assert_nil name[:incertae_sedis]
   end
@@ -133,7 +136,7 @@ class TutorialTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     end
 
     name = Name.find(name.id)
-    assert_equal 'incertae sedis (Bacteria)', name.placement.incertae_sedis
+    assert_predicate name.placement, :incertae_sedis?
     assert_not_predicate old_placement.reload, :preferred?
     assert_includes name.alt_placements, old_placement
     assert_nil name[:incertae_sedis]
diff --git a/test/system/placements_test.rb b/test/system/placements_test.rb
index 49284cd9..b4ac6cc2 100644
--- a/test/system/placements_test.rb
+++ b/test/system/placements_test.rb
@@ -16,14 +16,15 @@ class PlacementsTest < ApplicationSystemTestCase
 
   test 'creating the first placement for a name' do
     name = Name.create!(
-      name: 'Escherichia fergusonii', rank: 'species', status: 5,
+      name: 'Escherichia vulneris', rank: 'species', status: 5,
       created_by: @user
     )
 
     assert_nil(name.placement)
 
     visit new_placement_path(name)
-    fill_in 'Genus', with: @parent.name
+    choose 'Fixed placement'
+    fill_in 'Parent genus', with: @parent.name
     click_button 'Submit'
 
     assert_text 'Placement successfully updated'
@@ -37,13 +38,14 @@ class PlacementsTest < ApplicationSystemTestCase
 
   test 'declaring incertae sedis in Bacteria' do
     name = Name.create!(
-      name: 'Escherichia fergusonii', rank: 'species', status: 5,
+      name: 'Escherichia ruysiae', rank: 'species', status: 5,
       created_by: @user
     )
     explanation = 'Its placement within Bacteria is unresolved.'
 
     visit new_placement_path(name)
-    select 'Incertae sedis (Bacteria)', from: 'Incertae sedis'
+    choose 'Incertae sedis'
+    fill_in 'Uncertain within', with: names(:bacteria).name
     fill_in_rich_text_area(
       'Description of the classification problems', with: explanation
     )
@@ -55,9 +57,10 @@ class PlacementsTest < ApplicationSystemTestCase
     name.reload
     placement = name.placement
 
-    assert_equal('Incertae sedis (Bacteria)', placement.incertae_sedis)
+    assert_predicate placement, :incertae_sedis?
+    assert_equal names(:bacteria), placement.parent
     assert_equal(explanation, placement.incertae_sedis_text.to_plain_text)
-    assert_nil(placement.parent)
+    assert_nil name.parent
     assert_predicate(placement, :preferred?)
   end
 
@@ -69,7 +72,8 @@ class PlacementsTest < ApplicationSystemTestCase
 
     visit name_path(name)
     click_link 'Report alternative placement'
-    fill_in 'Genus', with: alternative_parent.name
+    choose 'Fixed placement'
+    fill_in 'Parent genus', with: alternative_parent.name
     click_button 'Submit'
 
     assert_text 'Placement successfully updated'
diff --git a/test/system/tutorials_test.rb b/test/system/tutorials_test.rb
index cd521986..1499c92a 100644
--- a/test/system/tutorials_test.rb
+++ b/test/system/tutorials_test.rb
@@ -44,17 +44,18 @@ class TutorialsTest < ApplicationSystemTestCase
     visit tutorial_url(@tutorial)
 
     upload_batch_spreadsheet('SCR_UploadBatch-Luteria-Incertae_sedis.xlsx')
-    incertae_sedis = 'incertae sedis (Bacteria)'
-    assert_batch_review(name: 'Luteria', parent: incertae_sedis)
+    assert_batch_review(name: 'Luteria', parent: 'incertae sedis (Bacteria)')
 
     create_batch_entries
 
     genus = Name.find_by!(name: 'Luteria')
+    placement = genus.placement
     @tutorial.reload
 
     assert_equal 'genus', genus.rank
     assert_nil genus.parent
-    assert_equal incertae_sedis, genus.incertae_sedis
+    assert_equal names(:bacteria), placement.parent
+    assert_predicate placement, :incertae_sedis?
     assert_equal type_species, genus.nomenclatural_type
     assert_equal @tutorial, genus.tutorial
     assert_equal ['Luteria'], @tutorial.names.pluck(:name)