Taxonomy Order in Diversity

Taxonomy: the science of classifying organisms into similar groups based on their characteristics and evolutionary history

Number of Living Organisms

1.7 Million Species Identified

56%

18%

5%

21%

World's Species DistributionInsects Flowering Plants Fungi Other Animals

-One third are parasites

Biodiversity: variations in genes, species, and ecosystems

Carolos Linnaeus

-Founder of Modern Taxonomy

-based on similar body structure

-placed organisms into groups called taxa

-used the language of Latin

Eight Major Taxonomic Groups

-Domain Largest Group-Kingdom-Phylum-Class-Order-Family-Genus-Species Smallest Group

Species

-A group of organisms which share similar characteristics

-can breed with one another

-and produce fertile offspring

Human Classification

Domain: EukaryaKingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: Chordata

-Subphylum: VertebrataClass: MammaliaOrder: PrimatesFamily: HominidaeGenus: Homo (man)Species: sapiens (wise)

Phylogeny – evolutionary history of organisms-Share common ancestors-phylogenetic trees:

diagram showing relatedness of all species

Phylogenetic Tree

Gills

Lungs

scales

Warm blooded

Binomial Nomenclature: “two name naming”

Scientific Names: Universal Language of Latin1. Combination of genus and species.2. Capitalize genus/lower case species3. Underline or Italicize

Ex. Homo sapiens or Homo sapiens

Purpose: Reduce confusion of common names

Common Scientific Names

(Canis familiarus)

(Gorilla gorilla)

(Felix domesticus)

(Canis lupus)

Scientific names are given to…

1. Describe the speciesSwima bombiviridis - the

bombing worm

2. Location of the 1st discovered speciesEx. Pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana)

3. Named after the scientist who discovered itEx. Panthera tigris corbetti (Jim Corbett)

Family Names

-Plant families end in “aceae” Ex. Poeaceae (grasses)

-Animal families end in “idae”ex. Hominidae (humans)