Biodiversity Classification of Life on Earth Biology Biodiversity

Biodiversity & Classification of Life on Earth Biology

Biodiversity: all different species on Earth

More than animals on Earth

Diversity on Earth �~10 million species on Earth �~2 million are known to science

Identifying Unknown Species

Search rainforests, oceans…

2009 species �Rat eating pitcher plant (Philippines) �Translucent Dracula minnow (Myanmar)

2010 species �Purple Octopus (Canada) �Sneezing snub-nosed monkey (Myanmar)

2011 species �Eternal light mushroom (Brazil) �Darwin’s bark spider (Madagascar)

2012 species �Tiny Chameleon: Brookesia micra (Madagascar) �Tiny Frog: Paedophryne amanuensis (New Guinea)

2013 species �Olinguito: Eugenia petrikensis (Madagascar) �Glowing Cockroach: Bassaricyon neblina (Brazil)

2014 species �Praying Mantis: Liturgusa algorei in Peru

2015 species �Marine pillbug

2016 species �Klingon Newt

2017 species �Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock tianxing)

Taxonomist �Identifies and names organisms The Louisiana Pancake Batfish!

Classification �Grouping species based upon similarities �Each species receives a Latin name Dendrobates pumilio Dendrobates auratus Dendrobates leucomelas Dendrobates azureus Dendrobates tinctorius

Identifying Known Species

You are now a field taxonomist �On your first day you see this bird! �What Joy!!! �Now what bird is this?

Dichotomous Keys �An easy way to sort information �Uses a series of yes or no questions to get to a single description that applies to only one item

Partial Dichotomous Key for Sparrows � 1 a. Small bird with brown and gray feathers………………. . …go to 2 � 1 b. Small bird with dark gray and white feathers……. ………… go to 5 � 2 a. Bird with solid red cap…………………………. . 3 � 2 b. Bird with white and black striped cap………………. . ………………… 4 � 3 a. Bird with one white stripe on above eye…………………. chipping sparrow � 3 b. Bird with gray chest………………………. tree sparrow � 4 a. Bird with yellow spot above eye……. ………white-throated sparrow � 4 b. Bird with no yellow spot above eye………………. . white-crowned sparrow � 5 a. Bird with pink bill……………. Dark-eyed Junco � 5 b. Bird with white wings……………go to 6

White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys

�Following a dichotomous key is similar to playing a game of GUESS WHO? �“is your person a boy? ”

Hints for Using D. K. � Always, Always start at the beginning � Always read both choices � Be sure you understand the meaning of terms involved. � Do not guess. � When measurements are given, use a calibrated scale. � Do not guess. � Do not accept your answer as absolutely reliable. Check a description of the organism to see if it agrees with the unknown specimen.