Classification of Living Classification of Living OrganismsOrganisms

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Copyright 2007Copyright 2007Kris H. LightKris H. Light

Hierarchical Classification of Hierarchical Classification of OrganismsOrganisms

Domain Domain –– Bacteria, Bacteria, ArchaeaArchaea, , EukaryaEukarya (added in 1990)(added in 1990)Kingdom Kingdom –– Animals, Plants, Fungi, Animals, Plants, Fungi, ProtistaProtista, and , and MoneraMoneraPhylumPhylumClassClassOrder Order FamilyFamilyGenusGenusSpeciesSpeciesAn easy way to remember the correct order is the An easy way to remember the correct order is the mnemonic: mnemonic: DDashing ashing KKing ing PPhillip hillip CCame ame OOver ver FFrom rom GGeneva eneva SSwitzerlandwitzerland

So what is a So what is a ““domaindomain””?? Newer classification models have domains listed Newer classification models have domains listed above the kingdoms. above the kingdoms. ““DomainsDomains”” are the are the cell typecell type

that an organism has. There are 3 domains:that an organism has. There are 3 domains:

BacteriaBacteria –– the the ““commoncommon””bacteria and bluebacteria and blue--green algae green algae ((cyanobacteriacyanobacteria). Considered ). Considered ProcaryotesProcaryotes (meaning (meaning ““before before true cellstrue cells””), they are single ), they are single cells that lack a nucleus and cells that lack a nucleus and organelles organelles ArchaeaArchaea –– ancient bacteria ancient bacteria ((““extremeophilesextremeophiles””) that can ) that can survive in harsh environments survive in harsh environments such as high heat, low pH such as high heat, low pH (acidic water), and high saline (acidic water), and high saline (salt content); they are single (salt content); they are single cells that lack a nucleus and cells that lack a nucleus and organelles organelles

EukaryaEukarya –– these cells contain a these cells contain a nucleus and other organelles nucleus and other organelles ((eukaryaeukarya means means ““true cellstrue cells””) . ) . These cells can specialize to These cells can specialize to become tissues and organs in become tissues and organs in higher organisms. higher organisms. Animals, plants, fungi and Animals, plants, fungi and protistsprotists have eukaryotic cells.have eukaryotic cells.

Typical Animal and Plant cellsTypical Animal and Plant cellsAnimal cell Plant cell

Kingdom Kingdom MoneraMonera

Kingdom Kingdom MoneraMonera is is made up of the singlemade up of the single--celled bacteria, celled bacteria, cyanobacteriacyanobacteria and and archaeobacteriaarchaeobacteria

Kingdom Kingdom ProtistaProtistaOrganisms in Organisms in the Kingdom the Kingdom ProtistaProtista can be can be as small as a as small as a singlesingle--celled celled organism organism (protozoan) or (protozoan) or as large as a as large as a stalk of giant stalk of giant kelp. The cells kelp. The cells of these of these organisms do organisms do not specialize.not specialize.Organisms in Organisms in this kingdom this kingdom include: include: protozoa, algae, protozoa, algae, and slime moldsand slime molds

Vorticella - a stalked single-celledProtozoan (on algae, 100X mag.)

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Giant Kelp

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Slime mold

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Kingdom FungiKingdom FungiFungi are oneFungi are one--celled (yeast) celled (yeast) or multior multi--celled decomposers celled decomposers or parasites. The kingdom or parasites. The kingdom includes mushrooms and includes mushrooms and puffballs, yeast, mildew, puffballs, yeast, mildew, and molds.and molds.

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Eyelash Cup Purple Russula

Witches’ Butter Splash Cups

Gem-studdedPuffball

Stalked Puffball inAspic

Rust on blackberry leaf

Columned Stinkhorn

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Lichens are a 2Lichens are a 2--Kingdom Kingdom organismorganism

Lichens are a symbiotic Lichens are a symbiotic combination of fungi and combination of fungi and algae, making them a 2algae, making them a 2--kingdom organism kingdom organism ((ProtistaProtista and and FungiFungi)! )! The fungal cells give the The fungal cells give the lichen its shape and hold lichen its shape and hold water, the algal cells water, the algal cells photosynthesize and photosynthesize and make food for the make food for the lichen.lichen.There are 3 kinds of There are 3 kinds of lichen: lichen: crustosecrustose, foliose , foliose and and fruiticosefruiticoseLichens are pioneer Lichens are pioneer organisms; they are organisms; they are among the first to among the first to colonize newlycolonize newly--formed formed land. The acids they land. The acids they produce help make new produce help make new soil.soil.

Pixie Cups Lichen

British Soldier Lichen(fruiticose)

Foliose Lichen on mailbox

Foliose Lichen on rock

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Kingdom Kingdom PlantaePlantae (Plants)(Plants)

Plants are multiPlants are multi--cellular (with cell cellular (with cell specialization), most are green specialization), most are green and make their own food through and make their own food through photosynthesis. They are photosynthesis. They are considered producers since many considered producers since many of them are eaten by animals. of them are eaten by animals. Plants can be as tiny as duckweed Plants can be as tiny as duckweed or grow to giant size like the or grow to giant size like the sequoia (redwood) trees. Some sequoia (redwood) trees. Some plants reproduce by spores, others plants reproduce by spores, others by seeds, and some by seeds, and some vegetativelyvegetatively. . Flowering plants, coneFlowering plants, cone--bearing bearing trees, ferns, mosses, liverworts, trees, ferns, mosses, liverworts, club mosses are in the plant club mosses are in the plant kingdom.kingdom.

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Fire PinkClub Moss

Lycopodium

Fern

LiverwortGiant Sequoia trees

Kingdom Kingdom AnimaliaAnimalia (Animals)(Animals)

Animals inhabit every part Animals inhabit every part of the earth from the of the earth from the bottom of the oceans to bottom of the oceans to the tops of the high the tops of the high mountains. mountains. They can be microscopic They can be microscopic (like a rotifer) or as large (like a rotifer) or as large as a blue whale.as a blue whale.Animals have outer Animals have outer coverings of: skin, fur, coverings of: skin, fur, shells, scales, or feathers.shells, scales, or feathers.Animals can be producers Animals can be producers (prey) or consumers (prey) or consumers (predators).(predators).

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Green Sea Anemone

Buckeye Butterfly

Gray Tree Frog

Canada Goose

Male Black Widow5-lined Skink

Opossum

Barnacles andMussels

Blue Crab

Bones Bones or noor no bones about it!bones about it!

Invertebrates have no Invertebrates have no backbone. All of these backbone. All of these animals are coldanimals are cold--blooded blooded and they lay eggs. This is and they lay eggs. This is the largest group of the largest group of animals on earth. animals on earth. They They include:Arthropodsinclude:Arthropods, , worms, sponges, worms, sponges, mollusks, echinoderms, mollusks, echinoderms, and coelenteratesand coelenterates

Vertebrates have a Vertebrates have a backbone and other backbone and other bones. Most are coldbones. Most are cold--blooded, 2 groups blooded, 2 groups (mammals and birds) are (mammals and birds) are warmwarm--blooded. Most lay blooded. Most lay eggs (except mammals). eggs (except mammals). Vertebrates include:Vertebrates include:

Mammals, birds, fish, Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibiansreptiles, and amphibians

Invertebrates make up 98% of the Invertebrates make up 98% of the worldworld’’s species of animals!s species of animals!

Arthropods Arthropods –– Insects, spiders, Insects, spiders, crustaceans, crustaceans, millipedes, and millipedes, and centipedescentipedes

Mollusks Mollusks –– slugs, slugs, snails, octopus, squid, snails, octopus, squid, bivalves, gastropods, bivalves, gastropods, cuttlefish, cuttlefish, nudibranchsnudibranchs

Worms Worms –– Roundworms, Roundworms, flatworms, annelidsflatworms, annelids

SpongesSponges Echinoderms Echinoderms –– Sea stars, sand Sea stars, sand dollars, sea dollars, sea cucumbers, brittle cucumbers, brittle starsstars

CoelenteratesCoelenterates(Cnidarians) (Cnidarians) –– Sea anemones, corals, Sea anemones, corals, hydras, hydras, siphonophoressiphonophores

EchinodermsEchinodermsEchinodermEchinoderm means means ““spiny spiny skin.skin.”” These animals have These animals have a hard or leathery a hard or leathery covering on their surface. covering on their surface. Echinoderms (including Echinoderms (including sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea stars, sea cucumbers, sand dollars, keyhole sand dollars, keyhole urchins, and sea urchins) urchins, and sea urchins) are ocean dwellers, most are ocean dwellers, most are carnivorous. They lay are carnivorous. They lay eggs.eggs.

Sand Dollar

Ochre Sea Star

Sea Urchin

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MollusksMollusks

Mollusks are softMollusks are soft--bodied bodied animals that may or may not animals that may or may not have a shell. Some live on have a shell. Some live on land, others live in freshwater, land, others live in freshwater, some live in the ocean. They some live in the ocean. They lay eggs. Some eat plants or lay eggs. Some eat plants or algae, others eat meat. algae, others eat meat. Mollusks include: Sea hares, Mollusks include: Sea hares, sea slugs, bivalves, sea slugs, bivalves, gastropods, limpets, gastropods, limpets, chitonschitons, , snails, slugs, squid, octopus, snails, slugs, squid, octopus, cuttlefish, and cuttlefish, and nautilisnautilis..

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Sea hareBlue Mussels

Snail

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Limpets

Cuttlefish

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Banana Slug

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ArthropodsArthropods

Arthropod means Arthropod means ““jointed leg.jointed leg.”” These animals are coldThese animals are cold--blooded, blooded, they lay eggs, they have an exoskeleton, they can live on land, they lay eggs, they have an exoskeleton, they can live on land, in in freshwater, or in the ocean. Arthropods can have from 6 legs to freshwater, or in the ocean. Arthropods can have from 6 legs to over 100, they are often classified by the number of legs they hover 100, they are often classified by the number of legs they have. ave. The animals that are arthropods include: Insects, spiders, The animals that are arthropods include: Insects, spiders, crustaceans, millipedes and centipedes.crustaceans, millipedes and centipedes.

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Spider Blue Crab Dragonfly

CentipedeMillipede

InsectsInsects

All insects have 3 All insects have 3 body parts (head, body parts (head, thorax, abdomen) thorax, abdomen) and 6 legs. Not all and 6 legs. Not all insects have insects have wings. They are wings. They are coldcold--blooded and blooded and most lay eggs. most lay eggs. Insects can be Insects can be plant eaters or eat plant eaters or eat meat or blood. meat or blood. Most insects do Most insects do not sting or bite!not sting or bite!There are 32 There are 32 orders of insects.orders of insects.

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Hercules Beetle FlyLacewing larva Eating an aphid

Mosquito eating me!

Camel CricketIo Moth

Dragonfly

Ants “milking” aphids

Buckeye Butterfly

Florida Leaf-footed Bug

ArachnidsArachnids-- Spiders, Mites,Spiders, Mites,

Ticks and Ticks and ScorpionsScorpions

Spiders, mites, ticks and Spiders, mites, ticks and scorpions have 2 body scorpions have 2 body parts and 8 legs. They also parts and 8 legs. They also have 8 eyes. Spiders and have 8 eyes. Spiders and scorpions are carnivorous.scorpions are carnivorous.These animals are usually These animals are usually venomous (although not venomous (although not always dangerous). Spiders always dangerous). Spiders may be webmay be web--builders or builders or hunter / stalkers.hunter / stalkers.

Garden Spider Arrow-shapedMicrathena

Jumping Spider

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Green Lynx

Dog Tick

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Velvet Mite

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Scorpion

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Crustaceans have a hard Crustaceans have a hard exoskeleton. They have 3 exoskeleton. They have 3 body parts (like an insect, body parts (like an insect, but head and thorax are but head and thorax are often fused into a often fused into a cephalothoraxcephalothorax) and 10 or ) and 10 or more legs. These animals more legs. These animals can live in marine or can live in marine or freshwater, a few live on freshwater, a few live on dry land. Crustaceans are dry land. Crustaceans are coldcold--blooded and lay eggs.blooded and lay eggs.Animals include: Lobsters, Animals include: Lobsters, shrimp, crabs, woodlice shrimp, crabs, woodlice ((““rolyroly--polypoly””), hermit crabs, ), hermit crabs, amphipods, amphipods, waterfleaswaterfleas, , brine shrimp, brine shrimp, ostracodsostracods, , copepods, and krill.copepods, and krill.

Female Fiddler Crab with eggs Water Flea – 100x mag.

Barnacles

Hermit Crab

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Woodlice

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VertebratesVertebrates

ColdCold--blooded (blooded (exothermic exothermic –– ““outside heatoutside heat””) animals ) animals cannot make their own cannot make their own heat, their bodies are the heat, their bodies are the same temperature as same temperature as their surroundings. Many their surroundings. Many warm themselves in the warm themselves in the sun to raise their sun to raise their temperature. temperature. All animals except All animals except mammals and birds are mammals and birds are coldcold--blooded.blooded.

WarmWarm--blooded blooded ((endothermicendothermic –– ““inside inside heatheat””) animals produce ) animals produce their own heat as a their own heat as a byproduct of their byproduct of their metabolism. metabolism. Mammals and birds are Mammals and birds are warmwarm--blooded. The only blooded. The only large land animals in large land animals in AntarctiaAntarctia are penguins are penguins and seals. and seals.

ReptilesReptilesReptiles are cold-blooded, or exothermic,they must sun themselves to get warm. Mostreptiles have scales on their skin, they lay theireggs on land, they are vertebrates, and they breathe air. Reptiles haveeither 4 legs or no legs. Animals that are reptiles include: snakes, lizards, skinks, tuataras, turtlesand tortoises. Some live in freshwater, some insaltwater and some live on land.

Eastern Spiny Soft-shelled Turtle

Five-lined Skink

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Copperhead Snake

Alligator

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Desert Tortoise

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AmphibiansAmphibians amphiamphi ““bothboth””, , bio bio ““ lifelife””

AnAn AmphibianAmphibian is an animal is an animal that lives part of its life on that lives part of its life on land and part in water. land and part in water. They lay their eggs in the They lay their eggs in the water. In the tadpoles or water. In the tadpoles or larvae phase they have larvae phase they have gills and can breathe gills and can breathe under water. As adults, under water. As adults, they live on land, have they live on land, have lungs, and must breathe lungs, and must breathe air at the surface.air at the surface.Frogs, toads, salamanders, Frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and hellbenders are newts, and hellbenders are amphibians. They are amphibians. They are vertebrates, coldvertebrates, cold--blooded, blooded, lay eggs (in water), have lay eggs (in water), have smooth skin, have 4 legs, smooth skin, have 4 legs, breathe air, and most are breathe air, and most are carnivores. carnivores.

Frog

Toad

Salamander

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Hellbender

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FishFish

Fish come in all shapes, Fish come in all shapes, colors and sizes. They live colors and sizes. They live from warm, shallow from warm, shallow waters to the deep, cold waters to the deep, cold ocean bottom. Some live ocean bottom. Some live in fresh water, others live in fresh water, others live in salt water. in salt water. Fish lay eggs, breathe Fish lay eggs, breathe oxygen from the water oxygen from the water through their gills and through their gills and they have a backbone.they have a backbone.

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Blue Tang

Leafy Sea Dragon

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Trout

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BirdsBirds

Birds live on all 7 Birds live on all 7 continents in all kinds of continents in all kinds of environments. The kind environments. The kind of beak a bird has of beak a bird has determines the type of determines the type of food it can eat. Their feet food it can eat. Their feet are adapted to perch, are adapted to perch, walk, wade, creep, catch walk, wade, creep, catch prey, or swim. prey, or swim. All birds have feathers, All birds have feathers, are warm blooded and are warm blooded and they lay eggs. they lay eggs.

Great Blue Heron

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Cardinal

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Coot Black-crowned NightHeron

Great Horned Owl

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Mallard Ducks

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ScavengersScavengers

Scavengers may seem Scavengers may seem unpleasant because unpleasant because they eat dead they eat dead animals. They are animals. They are very important very important because they help because they help prevent spread of prevent spread of diseases and they diseases and they return nutrients into return nutrients into the environment. the environment.

California Horn Snail

Flesh Fly

Black Vulture

Crow eating a dead squirrel

Blue Crab

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MammalsMammals

Mammals are warmMammals are warm--blooded, have fur, blooded, have fur, and breathe air. The and breathe air. The mothers feed their mothers feed their babies milk. babies milk. Most mammals are Most mammals are not colorful and do not colorful and do not see color well.not see color well.

Cottontail RabbitHarbor Seals

Porcupine

Moose with calves

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Raccoon

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Shrew

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Herbivorous MammalsHerbivorous MammalsHerbivores are plant eaters. Herbivores Herbivores are plant eaters. Herbivores have eyes on the side of their head for a have eyes on the side of their head for a wider range of vision, but they donwider range of vision, but they don’’t have t have good depth of field vision. Ungulates and good depth of field vision. Ungulates and rodents are mammalian herbivores.rodents are mammalian herbivores.Herbivores have Herbivores have incisorincisor teeth for cutting teeth for cutting leaves and twigs, and leaves and twigs, and molarsmolars for grinding for grinding plant material. plant material. Ungulates include: sheep, cattle, deer, Ungulates include: sheep, cattle, deer, giraffe, zebra, rhinos, tapirs, camels, giraffe, zebra, rhinos, tapirs, camels, llama, warthog, peccary, hippopotamus, llama, warthog, peccary, hippopotamus, reindeer, bison, ibex, musk ox and goats.reindeer, bison, ibex, musk ox and goats.Many ungulates have no top incisors, Many ungulates have no top incisors, have 4 stomachs and chew cud. have 4 stomachs and chew cud. All All ungulates have hooves, some have horns ungulates have hooves, some have horns or antlers. Female ungulates can have or antlers. Female ungulates can have horns but not antlers (except reindeer), horns but not antlers (except reindeer), horns do not fall off. Male deer, elk, horns do not fall off. Male deer, elk, reindeer and moose have antlers made of reindeer and moose have antlers made of bone. They fall off in the fall and begin to bone. They fall off in the fall and begin to grow back in the spring. grow back in the spring.

White-tailed deer (doe)

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White-tailed deer skull (buck)

Elk

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RodentsRodentsRodents have incisors that do Rodents have incisors that do not quit growing, the animals not quit growing, the animals must gnaw to keep the teeth must gnaw to keep the teeth from growing too large. They from growing too large. They include: Chipmunks, beavers, include: Chipmunks, beavers, mice, rats, porcupines, mice, rats, porcupines, capybara, and squirrels. capybara, and squirrels. Rabbits are not rodents, they Rabbits are not rodents, they are are lagomorphslagomorphs..

Eastern Chipmunk

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Muskrat skull

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Groundhog / Woodchuck

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Gray Squirrel

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CarnivorousCarnivorous MammalsMammals

Carnivores are meat Carnivores are meat eaters. They have long eaters. They have long canine teeth for piercing canine teeth for piercing and ripping flesh from and ripping flesh from the bone. Their small the bone. Their small incisors are used for incisors are used for nipping off small pieces nipping off small pieces of meat. Their jagged of meat. Their jagged molars crush bones or molars crush bones or shells. Many carnivores shells. Many carnivores swallow their food swallow their food without chewing it much.without chewing it much.Carnivores have eyes Carnivores have eyes facing the front for better facing the front for better depth of field vision.depth of field vision.

Mexican Wolf

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Kit Fox

Skunk Skull

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California Sealion

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OmnivoresOmnivoresOmnivores are mammals that eat Omnivores are mammals that eat both plants and meat. Mammals both plants and meat. Mammals that are omnivores have incisors, that are omnivores have incisors, molars and canine teeth. molars and canine teeth. Some omnivores include: Some omnivores include: opossums, raccoons, bears, opossums, raccoons, bears, skunks, foxes, box turtlesskunks, foxes, box turtles

Opossum

Raccoon

Box Turtle eating mushroom

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BatsBats

Bats are the only mammals Bats are the only mammals that are able to fly rather than that are able to fly rather than glide. Bats are in the order glide. Bats are in the order ChiropteraChiroptera (meaning (meaning ““handhand--wingwing””) because their wings are ) because their wings are actually modified arms and actually modified arms and hands!hands!Bats are important animals, Bats are important animals, they control insect they control insect populations by eating up to populations by eating up to 3000 mosquitoes in one night. 3000 mosquitoes in one night. In some parts of the world, In some parts of the world, bats pollinate flowers (such as bats pollinate flowers (such as bananas) and spread seeds to bananas) and spread seeds to rere--vegetate the jungles.vegetate the jungles.

Humerus

Ulna / Radius

Thumb

4 Finger bones

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FollowFollow--up questionsup questions

1. What is a domain? Where is it located on the organization cha1. What is a domain? Where is it located on the organization chart? rt? 2. What is the difference between bacteria cells and eukaryotes?2. What is the difference between bacteria cells and eukaryotes?3. What are the differences between plant and animal cells?3. What are the differences between plant and animal cells?4. Name the 5 kingdoms4. Name the 5 kingdoms5. What is the difference between an invertebrate and a vertebra5. What is the difference between an invertebrate and a vertebrate? te? Which group has the most animals?Which group has the most animals?6. What does exothermic and endothermic mean? Which are you? 6. What does exothermic and endothermic mean? Which are you? 7. What group of animals does not lay eggs?7. What group of animals does not lay eggs?8. The mothers of which group of animals feed their babies milk?8. The mothers of which group of animals feed their babies milk?9. What is a carnivore? What type of teeth are specific to these9. What is a carnivore? What type of teeth are specific to theseanimals? animals? 10. What is an ungulate? Give some examples.10. What is an ungulate? Give some examples.11. Give some examples of rodents.11. Give some examples of rodents.

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