Classification: the systematic grouping of organisms based on common characteristics
Taxonomy: the science of identifying, classifying, and naming living things
A. Aristotle’s System Classified as either plants or animals Then further divided things on whether or
not they flew, swam, or walked on land
B. Linnaeus System of Binomial Nomenclature
Binomial nomenclature:◦ modern classification system which uses a 2-word
naming system Was based on physical and structural
similarities First word represents the genus of a species 2nd word represents the specific epithet Genus + specific epithet = species
name
B. Linnaeus System of Binomial Nomenclature
Example:◦ Homo sapiens
“Homo” = genus “sapiens” = specific epithet
◦ Genus will always start with a capital letter◦ S.E. will always be lowercase◦ Should always be written in italics
C. Scientific vs. Common Names Animals often have common names
◦ Common names can often be misleading Taxonomists use Latin because the
language is “universal” and doesn’t change
A. Taxonomy: A Framework Taxonomy shows evolutionary relationships
in the naming of organisms It also provides a framework in which to
study relationships among living and extinct species
B. Taxonomy: A Useful Tool Using structural and physical characteristics
to identify an organism Dichotomous keys: help you determine
the species name by looking at given characteristics
A. Taxonomic Rankings Taxon: a group of organisms (plural = taxa) There are only 8 taxa to remember
◦ “DKPCOFGS” Domain (most broad) Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species (most specific)
B. The Larger Taxa OCPKD Special note, plant taxonomists use the
taxa “Division” rather than “Phylum” So for plants, it would be
◦ DKDCOFGS
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Eukarya
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Carnivora
Felidae
Lynx
Lynx rufus Lynx canadensis
Bobcat Lynx