Post on 13-Jul-2015
transcript
Learning Outcomes
• Define the term “taxonomy”
• List the different levels of taxonomy in order
• Name 4 different species using their full taxonomic name
• Relate species differences to selective processes (previous session!)
Why classify?
• Helps humans to make sense of the abundant biological diversity that exists in nature.
• Enables us to categorise what is out there!
What is Taxonomy?
• Science of naming organisms and assigning them to groups
• Looks at different and common species
• Looks at relationships of
species at different levels
- general
- specialised
Why is Taxonomy Useful?
• Allows us to identify new species!
• Taxonomists spend their time searching for previously unknown organisms, determining their relationships to known organisms, and giving them names.
• Without classification, this would not be possible.
Aristotle
• Realised that you had to observe various characteristics, not just one
• Considered to be 1st person to group organisms in ways that made sense!
• Involved in the terms “substance”, “species” and “genus”
Ernst Haeckle
• Discovered, described and named thousands of new species
• Mapped a genealogical tree relating all life forms
• Coined many terms including phylum, phylogeny, ecology and the kingdom Protista
Carolus Linnaeus
• Divised system for clear and easy descriptions of plants, animals and minerals
• Classified organisms using
a two part latin name –
binomial classification
• System still used by scientists today!
The Seven Levels
• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species
• Kings
• Play
• Chess
• Only
• For
• Good
• Sports!
Kingdom
• The starting point of species classification
• Divided into 5 kingdoms
The 5 kingdoms are :
• Monera (Bacteria)
• Protocista (Protozoa)
• Fungi (Mushrooms, Mould)
• Plantae (Ferns, Herbs, Tres)
• Animalia (Fish, Birds, Insects)
Phylum
• Each kingdom is subdivided into smaller, more specific groups called phyla.
• Groups with general common features (shells, legs, spine)
e.g. birds, mammals, fish (spine)
snails, limpets, lobsters (shells)
Class
• Each phylum is subdivided into smaller groups called classes.
• Divides groups into general common features
e.g. Mammals – bears, mice, elephants, dolphins
• Base of most fossil studies!
Order
• Each class is subdivided into smaller groups called orders.
• Groups of individuals with a major similar quality
e.g. Carnivora = cats, dogs, weasels
= meat eaters!!!
Family
• Each order is subdivided into smaller groups called families.
• Major groups of similar organisms
E.g. Felidae = cats
Genus
• Each family is subdivided into smaller groups called genera.
• Group of species very closely related
E.g. Sciurus = Squirrels
Species
• Each genus is subdivided into smaller groups called species.
• Group of similar individuals which can breed freely, but not successfully with other species (hence sub-species).
• The species is the most specific level of classification.
In General
The way the kingdom is broken down is as follows:
• A number of species make up a genus.
• A number of genera make up a family.
• A number of families make up an order.
• A number of orders make up a class.
• A number of classes make up a phylum.
• A number of phyla make up a kingdom.
Scientific Names
• The scientific name of an organism contains two parts
- the name of the genus and
- the name of the species.
• Binomial naming – Linnaeus!
Writing Scientific Names
The rules for writing scientific names:
• CAPITALIZE the first letter of the genus name.
• Do not capitalize the species name.
• Both names must be underlined or italicized.
• Example: human = Homo sapiens
Recognising the groups
• Kingdom: Always starts with a capital letter (e.g. Animalia)
• Phylum: Always starts with a capital letter (e.g. Chordata)
• Class: Always starts with a capital letter (e.g. Mammalia)
• Order: Always starts with a capital letter (e.g. Rodentia)
Recognising the groups
• Family: Always end in “ae”
(e.g. Sciurinae)
• Genus: Always starts with a capital letter and in italics (e.g. Sciurus)
• Species: ALWAYS lower case and italics!!! (e.g. vulgaris)
Recognising the Groups!
• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species
• Animalia
• Chordata
• Mammalia
• Rodentia
• Sciurinae
• Sciurus
• vulgaris
Example 1: A Dog
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Canidae
• Genus: Canis
• Species: familiaris
Example 2: A Lion
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Felidae
• Genus: Panthera
• Species: leo
Example 3: A Dandelion
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Tracheophyta
• Class: Anthophyta
• Order: Asterales
• Family: Compositae
• Genus: Taraxacum
• Species: officinale
Over to You!
Using the information you have just gained…
• Organize your sets of cards into order of the seven taxonomic levels
• As a minimum you should get Kingdom, Family, Genus and Species
• Once you have done this, try and work out what your organism is!