Biological Diversity on Biological Diversity on the Planetthe Planet

How many different types of How many different types of organisms are on Earth?organisms are on Earth?

Biological DiversityBiological Diversity

Refers to all of the different types of Refers to all of the different types of organisms on earthorganisms on earth

Organisms can live on land Organisms can live on land (terrestrial), in water (aquatic) or (terrestrial), in water (aquatic) or underground (subterranean)underground (subterranean)

What is a species?What is a species?

Group of organisms with the same Group of organisms with the same structures and can reproduce with structures and can reproduce with each othereach other

Scientists estimate there are Scientists estimate there are between 30 and 100 million different between 30 and 100 million different species living todayspecies living today

However, scientists have only However, scientists have only described just over 1.7 million described just over 1.7 million different speciesdifferent species

Insects, Centipedes and MillipedesInsects, Centipedes and Millipedes

963 000 different 963 000 different species (55.8% of species (55.8% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes Includes mosquitoes, mosquitoes, beetles, flies, ants, beetles, flies, ants, etc.etc.

PlantsPlants

270 000 different 270 000 different species (15.6% of species (15.6% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes all plants, Includes all plants, trees, ferns, trees, ferns, flowers, etc.flowers, etc.

Fungi and LichensFungi and Lichens

100 000 different 100 000 different species (5.79% of species (5.79% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes Includes mushrooms, mushrooms, lichens (fungi and lichens (fungi and algae combined) algae combined) and othersand others

Protozoans and AlgaeProtozoans and Algae

80 000 different 80 000 different species (4.63% of species (4.63% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes amoeba, Includes amoeba, paramecium, paramecium, euglena and all euglena and all types of algaetypes of algae

Spiders and ScorpionsSpiders and Scorpions

75 000 different 75 000 different species (4.35% of species (4.35% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes all Includes all spiders, tarantulas, spiders, tarantulas, and scorpionsand scorpions

MollusksMollusks

70 000 different 70 000 different species (4.06% of species (4.06% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Snails, slugs, Snails, slugs, clams, oysters, clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, mussels, scallops, squid, octopi etc.squid, octopi etc.

CrustaceansCrustaceans

40 000 different 40 000 different species (2.32% of species (2.32% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes shrimp, Includes shrimp, lobsters, crabs, etc.lobsters, crabs, etc.

RoundwormsRoundworms

25 000 different 25 000 different species (1.45% of species (1.45% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Common intestinal Common intestinal parasite of pets, parasite of pets, hookworm, hookworm, pinworm and pinworm and trichinellatrichinella

FishFish

22 000 different 22 000 different species (1.27% of species (1.27% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes all fish Includes all fish such as salmon, such as salmon, trout, bass, trout, bass, marlins, sharks, marlins, sharks, stingrays, etc.stingrays, etc.

FlatwormsFlatworms

20 000 different 20 000 different species (1.16% of species (1.16% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Group including Group including flatworms called flatworms called platyhelminthesplatyhelminthes

Earthworms and LeechesEarthworms and Leeches

12 000 different 12 000 different species (0.70% of species (0.70% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Just as the group Just as the group says, includes says, includes earthworms and earthworms and leechesleeches

Reptiles and AmphibiansReptiles and Amphibians

10 500 different 10 500 different species (0.61% of species (0.61% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes frogs, Includes frogs, toads, crocodiles, toads, crocodiles, iguanas, alligators, iguanas, alligators, etc.etc.

Jellyfish, Corals and AnemonesJellyfish, Corals and Anemones

10 000 different 10 000 different species (0.58% of species (0.58% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes the above Includes the above species – jellyfish, species – jellyfish, corals and corals and anemonesanemones

SpongesSponges

10 000 different 10 000 different species (0.58% of species (0.58% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Group including Group including the sponges is the sponges is called called PoriferaPorifera

BirdsBirds

10 000 different 10 000 different species (0.58% of species (0.58% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes eagles, Includes eagles, hawks, albatrosses, hawks, albatrosses, robins, sparrows, robins, sparrows, etc.etc.

MammalsMammals

4 500 different 4 500 different species (0.26% of species (0.26% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Includes bears, Includes bears, monkeys, whales, monkeys, whales, tigers, etc.tigers, etc.

BacteriaBacteria

4 000 different 4 000 different species (0.23% of species (0.23% of the world’s total the world’s total number of species)number of species)

Found everywhere, Found everywhere, cause many cause many diseases and diseases and illnesses in other illnesses in other organismsorganisms

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Biological Diversity on Earth

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Biological Diversity on Earth Insects

Plants

Fungi and Lichens

Protozoans and Algae

Spiders and Scorpions

Mollusks

Crustaceans

Roundworms

Fish

Flatworms

Earthworms and Leeches

Reptiles and Amphibians

J ellyfish, Corals and Anemones

Sponges

Birds

Mammals

Bacteria

Species DistributionSpecies Distribution

There are many more species located near There are many more species located near the equator (particularly in the rainforests)the equator (particularly in the rainforests)

As you move further north or further south As you move further north or further south from the equator, the number of species from the equator, the number of species decline – see example belowdecline – see example below• Species of snakes in Mexico – 293Species of snakes in Mexico – 293• Species of snakes in US – 126Species of snakes in US – 126• Species of snakes in Canada - 22Species of snakes in Canada - 22