CLASSIFICATION TAXONOMY Biodiversity Classification The grouping of objects
CLASSIFICATION & TAXONOMY Biodiversity
Classification The grouping of objects or information based on similarities Why do we need to classify things? To study the diversity of life, biologists use a classification system to name organisms and group them in a logical manner. Think about things that are arranged in a specific manner. Wal-Mart A newspaper
Classification Living Things are Classified So are Everyday things
Taxonomy The branch of biology concerned with the grouping and naming of organisms
Who is responsible for this? Aristotle Developed the first method of classification Classified organisms into two major groups based on Size Structure Location Plants & Animals
Whose method do we use today? Linnaeus Father of modern taxonomy Classified organisms based on their physical characteristics Created binomial nomenclature Created the 7 taxonomic categories
7 taxonomic levels Taxon – each level Kingdom (most inclusive) within a naming Phylum system Class The system is Order hierarchical. Family larger groups are more general Genus (more inclusive) Species (least Inclusive) and smaller groups are more specific (least
King Phillip Came Over For Granny’s Ursus horriblis Spaghetti
Binomial Nomenclature Two word system to give organisms a scientific name. Why? Some organisms may share the same common name Ex. Felis concolor has 4 common names: mountain lion, puma, cougar, or a panther A common name can refer to 2 different species: Ex. buzzard
Binominal Nomenclature Rules 1 st word Genus should always be capitalized and underlined (or italicized) 2 nd word specific epithet (a descriptive name) should always be lower case and underlined Ex. Lynx rufus
Scientific Names Common Names American Alligator Black Fly Bald Eagle Grizzly Bear Human Longleaf Pine Apple Scientific Names Alligator mississippiensis Simulium damnosum Haliaeetus leucocephalus Ursus horribilis Homo sapien Pinus palustris Malus domestica
- Slides: 12