Classification

Chapter 17

• Taxonomists: group and name organisms based on characteristics– Morphological– Behavioral– Geographical Distrubution– Molecular

• Chromosome comparisons• DNA sequences

Linnaeus -1700’s

• Developed binomial nomenclature system– Avoid confusion among biologists

• Ex. Sweet pepper=bell=green=mango• Genus species

– Species name is an adjective describing» Ex. Homo sapiens = human wise» Ex. Betula alba = birch white» Ex. Betula lutea = birch yellow

• Genus in caps, species lower case• Italics in print, underline when hand written• Genus can be abbreviated when used repeatedly

Linnaeus -1700’s

• Developed levels of classification that range from general to specific– Domain Kindgom phylum class

order family genus species– Remember: Dignified King Phillip Came Over

From Greater Spain

• Compare the appearance of a lynx, Lynx rufus, a bobcat, Lynx canadensis, and a mountain lion, Panthera concolor.

Lynx Mountain lionBobcat

Taxonomic rankings

Domain

Kingdom

Phylum

Class

OrderFamily

Genus

Species

Eukarya

Animalia

Chordata

MammaliaCarnivoraFelidaeLynx

Lynx rufus

Lynx canadensis

Bobcat Lynx

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Question 1According to the table, at what level does the domestic cat diverge from the ferret?

Classification of Representative MammalsKingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

Animalia

Chordata

Mammalia

Cetacea

Mysticeti

Balenopora

B. physalus

Blue Whale

Animalia Animalia

Chordata Chordata

Mammalia Mammalia

Carnivora Carnivora

Mustelidae Felidae

Mustela Felis

M. furo F. catus

Ferret Domestic cat

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The answer is C. The domestic cat belongs to the family Felidae and the ferret belongs to the family Mustelidae.Classification of Representative MammalsKingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

Animalia

Chordata

Mammalia

Cetacea

Mysticeti

Balenopora

B. physalus

Blue Whale

Animalia Animalia

Chordata Chordata

Mammalia Mammalia

Carnivora Carnivora

Mustelidae Felidae

Mustela Felis

M. furo F. catus

Ferret Domestic cat

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Question 2How many levels of classification do all three animals share?

Classification of Representative MammalsKingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Common Name

Animalia

Chordata

Mammalia

Cetacea

Mysticeti

Balenopora

B. physalus

Blue Whale

Animalia Animalia

Chordata Chordata

Mammalia Mammalia

Carnivora Carnivora

Mustelidae Felidae

Mustela Felis

M. furo F. catus

Ferret Domestic cat

Question 2Which taxon contains the fewest species?

D. phylumC. order B. familyA. genus

The answer is A, genus.

Question 3For which of the following species names does the specific epithet mean “handy?”

D. Homo habilisC. Australopithecus anamensisB. Homo erectus A. Homo sapiens

The answer is D.

• Aristotle:– Based on plant/animal, and land/water/air

• 5 Kingdom System (Whittaker 1969)– Based on

• Prokaryote/Eukaryote• Single/multicellular• Autotroph/heterotroph

• Currently: 6 kingdom system with two groups of prokaryotes

The answer is B. The organisms were grouped together because of their wings, which, in this case, are analogous structures.

6 Kingdoms

• For example, plant taxonomists use structural evidence to classify dandelions and

sunflowers in the same family, Asteraceae, because they have similar flower and fruit structures.

Structural similarities

Chromosome comparisons• For example, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and

broccoli look different but have chromosomes that are almost identical in structure.