def get_upper_taxids(taxid, tax_df):
    """
    :param taxid: str - taxID to get upper taxIDs from
    :param tax_df: pd.DataFrame - of read taxonomy.tsv (from taxonomy.rdf)
    :returns list - of upper taxIDs
    """
    if taxid == '0':
        return list()
    taxids = list()
    while taxid != '1' and taxid != 'Taxon':
        taxids.append(taxid)
        taxid = tax_df.loc[taxid]['parent_taxid']
    return taxids