 Biologists have identified about 1.5 million species and think there may be many more yet to be discovered.  In order to study organisms it is easier if they are put into groups.

 Classification is the process of grouping things into groups based on their similarities.

Why Classify? Biologists use classification to organize living things into groups so that the organisms are easier to study. Once an organism is classified then you know a lot about that organism. Example: If you know a crow is classified as a bird then you know it has wings, feathers and a beak.

Aristotle, BC  Was a famous Greek scientist and philosopher  He developed a classification system 2000 years ago.  He classified organisms as either a plant or animal.

Carolus Linnaeus – 1700’s  Swedish physician, botanist.  Developed better system of classifying  His system looked at more specific characteristics of organisms such as: size, shape, methods of getting food, & other physical traits.

Linnaeus also developed a system for giving each organism a two-part scientific name. His methods were so thorough he is considered the “father of taxonomy”.

Taxonomy is the science of identifying, classifying, and naming living things. Carl von Linne changed his name to a Latin form: Carolus Linneaus The Father of Taxonomy

 Literally means: “two name” “naming system”  Each organism is given a unique 2-part name.  Ex: Puma = Felis concolor House cat = Felis domesticus  Name is always underlined or italicized!

 The first word in the name is its genus, a classification grouping that contains similar, closely related organisms. Ex: house cats’ and pumas’ genus is Felis  Means: sharp, retractable claws, purrs  The second word in the name is the species.  Describes a distinctive feature Ex. Puma species is concolor  Means “same color”

Today we classify organisms based on:  Physical traits  Chemical makeup,and DNA  Evolutionary history or phylogeny

 Each unique species is given a scientific name.  A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile young. Olinguito the newest rare mammal species discovery – Aug Bassaricyon neblina

Scientific names are written in Latin or Greek because:  An organism may have many common names (in many different languages)  The meaning of Latin words stay the same.  Latin names are used worldwide by scientists so that the scientific name can be easily communicated between scientists.

 One species can have many common names.  One large American cat is known as: Mountain lion, cougar, Florida Panther, painter, puma, catamount.  But has only one scientific name: Felis concolor

 Common names are confusing.  Ex: A starfish is not a fish, a prairie dog is not a dog, a sea cucumber is not a cucumber.

 Several species can have the same common name.  Ex: A robin in America is not the same bird as a robin in England or Australia

a. Lion – Panthera leo or Panthera leo b. Lynx – Lynx lynx c. Gray wolf – Canis lupus d. Red wolf – Canis rufus e. Bobcat – Lynx rufus f. Family dog – Canis familiaris

1. After dividing all organisms into 6 kingdoms, scientists continue to classify until each individual species has been identified and given a scientific name. 2. There are 8 levels of classification. 3. The larger groups are more general and the smaller groups more specific.

 Domain - most general traits  Kingdom  Phylum*  Class  Order  Family  Genus  Species – most specific traits. A mnemonic device: Daughter Katie Poured Coffee On Father’s Good Shirt **Plants and fungi are classified by division instead of phylum

Domain

CLASSIFICATION OF THE GRIZZLY BEAR DOMAIN Domain  The most general of the levels.  All living things grouped into 3 domains. Classification of the Grizzly Bear: Domain – Eukarya *Cells have nuclei and membrane-covered organelles.

Kingdom  The 2 nd most general of the levels.  All living things grouped into 6 kingdoms. Classification of the Grizzly Bear: Kingdom: Animalia *Multicellular, eukaryote,heterotroph, move

Phylum- organisms from all kingdoms are sorted into smaller more specific groups called phyla. Grizzly Bear: Phylum Chordata. *Have a nerve chord that runs down back.

Class- organisms in all phyla are subdivided into smaller groups called classes Grizzly Bear: Class Mammalia: Have fur, nurse young with mammary glands, most bear live young.

Order- organisms in all the classes are subdivided into smaller groups called orders.  Grizzly Bear: Order Carnivora.  Primary diet is meat.

Family- each order is subdivided into smaller groups called families.  Grizzly Bear: Family Ursidae. “Bears”, large body, stocky legs, long snout, shaggy hair, paws with non-retractible claws, short tail.

Genus- organisms in all families are sorted into genera  Grizzly Bear: Genus Ursus. *Latin for bear, includes brown bears, black bears, and polar bears

 Species: Each genus is subdivided into smaller groups called species Grizzly Bear: Species: horribilis -means fearful  Species is the most specific and descriptive level of classification.  There is only one type of organism at the species level.  The more classification levels two organisms share, the more characteristics they have in common and the more closely related they are. Scientific Name: Ursus horribilis (Genus and species levels)

DOMAIN Eukarya onca

Latin for wise man Modern human The Great Apes Latin for man Large brains, opposable thumbs, etc * * Domain - Eukaryota Domain: Eukarya

 Domain: ______________________  Kingdom: ______________________  Phylum: _______________________  Class: _________________________  Order: ________________________  Family:________________________  Genus: ________________________  Species: _______________________

 Domain: EUKARYA  Kingdom: ANIMALIA  Phylum: CHORDATA  Class: MAMMALIA  Order: CARNIVORA  Family: CANIDAE  Genus: CANIS  Species: FAMILIARIS Scientific name: Canis familiaris CLASSIFICATION OF THE FAMILY DOG

DOMAIN – The First Level of Classification All living things are first divided into 3 main groups called DOMAINS. The characteristics used to classify are: Cell type – prokaryote or eukaryote Membrane covered organelles??? Number of cells

The 3 domains are: BACTERIA ARCHAEA EUKARYA (OR EUKARYOTA)

DOMAIN: BACTERIA Prokaryotes –no nucleus Distinct chemical make-up All are unicellular Examples: All common bacteria

DOMAIN: ARCHAEA Prokaryotes, unicellular Chemical make-up different from bacteria Very ancient, live in extreme places (Extremophiles) Halophiles – Salt loving archaebacteria

DOMAIN: EUKARYA Eukaryotes – cells have a nucleus Cells more complex and generally larger Most are multicellular Some are unicellular Examples:

After organisms are separated into domains, they are then placed into six kingdoms.

 All organisms are divided into 6 major kingdoms based on four basic characteristics. a. Presence of a nucleus b. Number of cells c. How organisms obtain food: – autotrophs or heterotrophs d. Ability to move