Finding Order in Diversity Chapter 18.1

Carolus Linnaeus Swedish Botanist Introduced scientific naming system still used today.

“Linnaean Taxonomy” Taxonomy: the science of naming and classifying organisms. Gives scientists a standard way to refer to species and organize the diversity of living things. “Linnaean taxonomy” classifies organisms based on their physical and structural similiarities.

Taxonomy Organisms are placed into different levels in a hierarchy. Taxon: (plural-”taxa”) a group of organisms in a classification system. In the “Linnaean system”, species are most defined as a group of organisms that can breed and produce offspring that can reproduce. The “L” system gives each species a “scientific name”.

Scientific Names Binomial Nomenclature: system that gives each species a 2-part scientific name using Latin words. First part is the genus. Genus: (plural “genera”) includes one or more physically similar species that are closely related. Genus names are always Capitalized! For example: Ursus arctos- brown bear or “grizzly”.

Scientific Names The second part of the name is the species descriptor and is lowercase. Refers to traits of the species, the scientist who first described it, or its native location. Genus and descriptor are in italics or underlined. For example: Quercus alba- white oak trees

Why scientific names? Helpful. How? 1. many species have very similar common names. 2. biology is studied all over the world, one species may have many different common names. For example: Armidillidium vulgare or pill bugs. A.k.a roly poly, sow bug, and potato bug.

Linnaeans’ classification system has 7 levels or taxa: “King Phillip Came Over For Great Spaghetti” KINGDOM PHYLUM CLASS ORDER FAMILY GENUS SPECIES

Linnaeus’ classification has 7 levels K- Animalia P- Chordata C- Mammalia O- Carnivora F- Canidae wolves, dogs, coyotes G- Canis dogs/coyotes S- Canis lupis wolf

Closing “Taxonomy” In your lab groups of 3-4, work on the worksheet together. Due as you walk out