Dr. Mark A. McGinleyTexas Tech University

BIOL 5311Summer 2001

BiodiversitySpecies, Classification,

Biodiversity

Species

Biologists classify organisms into speciesBiological Species

Able to breed with each other to produce offspring

►Most biologists say that species Most biologists say that species are the same species if they can are the same species if they can have children.have children.

XFather Mother

Biological Species Concept.

Inherited TraitsParents pass on inherited traits to their

offspringThus parents and offspring of the same

species tend to resemble each other

SpeciesAll species have a scientific name

Two partsGenus name and Species name

Homo sapiensPinus contortaCanis lupusZea mays

Always capitalize 1st letter of genus nameSpecies name all lower caseUnderline or italicize scientific names

SpeciesSome species have common names

Homo sapiens HumansPinus contorta Lodgepole pineCanis lupus WolfZea mays Corn

Because using common names can be confusing, biologists use scientific names

Telling the Difference Between Telling the Difference Between SpeciesSpecies

►Some Some differences are differences are simple!simple!

►Different Different species look species look different!different!

► Some differences are difficult!Some differences are difficult!

► These two birds look the same These two birds look the same but are actually different but are actually different species!species!

► These ants look different but These ants look different but are actually the same species!are actually the same species!

Telling the Difference Between Species

How Many Species Are There?Good Question!!!

We don’t know the exact answer because scientists are discovering new species all of the time

Scientists have already discovered and described over 1.5 million species

Estimate that there are probably from 5 million to 30 million species living on the earth!!

When there are lots of things to keep track of then

we like to classify them into groups.

Classifying Lubbock, Texas

There are lots of cities in the world

Classifying Lubbock, TexasClassifying Lubbock, Texas

►A planet contains many continentsA planet contains many continents►A continent contains many countriesA continent contains many countries►A country contains many statesA country contains many states►A state contains many countiesA state contains many counties►A county contains many citiesA county contains many cities

Classifying Lubbock, TexasAll Cities on Earth

PlanetCities in North America Continent

Cities in the United States CountryCities in Texas State

o Cities in Lubbock, County Countyo Lubbock City

Classifying SpeciesThere are different ways to classify

organisms- for exampleWhat they eatHow they moveHow they are related

How could we classifyLions, sharks, hawks, manatees, cows, and

fruit bats?

Classify by what animals eatCarnivores- eat meat

Lions, sharks, hawksHerbivores- eat plants

Cows, manatees, fruit bats

Classify by how they moveWalk/run

Lions, cowsFly

Hawks, fruit batsSwim

Manatees, sharks

Classify by how they are relatedFish

SharksBirds

HawksMammals

Lions, cows, manatees, fruit bats

Phylogenetic ClassificationBiologists like to classify species in a way

that helps us to understand how they are relatedPhylogenetic classification

Classifying SpeciesKingdom

PhylumClass

Ordero Familyo Genus species

A Kingdom contain many Phyla

A Phylum contain many Classes

A Class contain many Orders

An Order contain many Families

A Family contain many Genera

A Genus contains many species

Doing it RightUse “Phylum” when you are talking about

only one Phylum – singularUse “Phyla” when you are talking about

more than 1 Phylum- plural

Use “Genus” when you are talking about only one Genus – singular

Use “Genera” when you are talking about more than one Genus - plural

Classifying Species

CLASSIFYING A CATCLASSIFYING A CATFelis catus Felis catus - Cat- Cat

► KingdomKingdom: Animalia: Animalia

► PhylumPhylum: Chordata: Chordata They have a spineThey have a spine

► ClassClass: Mammalia: Mammalia They are mammalsThey are mammals

► OrderOrder: Carnivora: Carnivora They eat meatThey eat meat

► FamilyFamily: Felidae: Felidae This family includes the housecat, tigers, lions, This family includes the housecat, tigers, lions,

jaguar, leopard, cheetah, and lynx. jaguar, leopard, cheetah, and lynx. ► GenusGenus: : FelisFelis► SpeciesSpecies: : catuscatus

Why should we care about biodiversity on earth?

Species play important role in food webs

Species play important role in food websAll species are a source of food for other

speciesAll species compete with other species of

foodMany species use other species for food

Species are connected in a food web

WHY DO WE NEED LOTS OF SPECIES?WHY DO WE NEED LOTS OF SPECIES?

AgricultureAgriculture – we like to grow lots – we like to grow lots of different kinds of plants and of different kinds of plants and animals to eatanimals to eat Some are better at growing in Some are better at growing in

different places different places Some different species taste betterSome different species taste better

WHY DO WE NEED LOTS OF SPECIES?

MedicineMedicine!!

Our medicine was discovered using Our medicine was discovered using chemicals found in plants, animals, chemicals found in plants, animals, and small organisms (bacteria).and small organisms (bacteria).

We need lots of different kinds to be We need lots of different kinds to be able to discover different medicines able to discover different medicines to help people.to help people.

MaterialsMaterials!!

Rubber comes from trees found in Rubber comes from trees found in the rainforestthe rainforest

Woods, dyes, fiber.Woods, dyes, fiber.

WHY DO WE NEED LOTS OF SPECIES?

WHY DO WE NEED LOTS OF SPECIES?

RecreationCampingHikingHuntingFishingScuba diving and

snorkellingPhotography

Biodiversity is Beautiful

Risks to BiodiversitySpecies are at risk of extinction

CausesHabitat lossIntroduced speciesFishing and hunting

Many species are in danger!!!