Classification  Aim  To gain an understanding of the binomial system of Classification, and the differences between the major divisions, Kingdoms and Phyla.  To understand the Classification of organisms within an Ecosystem in terms of Trophic Levels.  Additional Reading Environmental Engineering, Gerard Kiely.Biology of Freshwater, Kiely, Gerard Maitland, Peter.S. Fundamentals of aquatic ecology R.S.K. Barnes and K.H. Mann. 2nd Edition

Classification of Organisms  Why Classify?  Continuity amongst Researchers  Types of Classification  Taxonomy  Scientific study of Classification and Nomenclature  Phylogeny  Ordering of species into groups having Evolutionary similarities.  Classification by Function  Individuals as part of an Ecosystem

Kingdoms of Organisms  2 - Kingdom System  Animals  Plants  3 - Kingdom System  Animals  Plants  Protista  5 - Kingdom System  Monera  Protista  Fungi  Animalia  Plantae

Classification of Organisms  Animals, Plants and Microorganisms are arranged in groups which are themselves part of Larger Groups.  Hierarchical System = “Family Tree” Kingdom Class Phylum Order Family Genus species Individual organisms have a name from each of the Taxonomic levels. Nomenclature devised by Linnaeus e.g. Saccharomyces cerevisiae species

Classification of Organisms  Importance of the Major Divisions - The Eukaryotic Phyla KingdomPhylum ProtistaProtozoa (Rhizopoda, ciliata etc) Euglenophta(Algae) Chlorophyta(Algae) etc. AnimaliaArthropoda(750,000sp, Insecta, Arachnida Crustacea, Ostracoda, Copopda) Mollusca(snails, bivalves) Aschelminths(Rotifera) Annelida(polychaete worms) etc. Chordata Class - (Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, mammalia)

Biological Classification Conventions Animals Bacteria ManMosquitoTyphoidGut Bacteria Taxon PhylumChordataArthropodaProcaryotaProcaryota ClassMammaliaInsectaSelizomycetesSelizomycetes OrderPrimatesDipteraEubacterialesEubacteriales FamilyHominidaeCulcidaeEnterbacteriaceaeEnterbacteriaceae GenusHomoCulexSalmonellaEscherichia Speciessapiensquinquefascienstyphicoli Lower ranks based on biochemical similarities. For EE, more important to be able to classify organisms at Kingdom, Phyla and possibly Class levels.

Phylogeny  Ancestor-Descendant (hypothetical)  Classical Methods  Phenotypic - morphology, behaviour, cytology.  Biochemical Methods  gram stain - Peptidoglycan  nutritional requirements, metabolism  Protein Analysis - cytochrome C, haemoglobin.  Lipid Analysis  Nucleic Acid Analysis  GC Ratios

Phylogeny  Nucleic Acid Analysis (continued)  DNA-DNA hybridisation  reflects sequence similarity  useful for species and genus level comparisons  Ribosomal RNA Sequencing 16S and 18S  very powerful technique  data can be processed mathematically  sequence highly conserved (< 97% indicates a different species)  Molecular Clock  Precise Phylogenetic Trees

Trophic Pyramids  Pyramids of Numbers Primary Producers are small (e.g. algae) Primary Producers are large (e.g. Tree) However, Biomass of aquatic organisms varies greatly Escherichia0.4 x gBacteria Paramecium0.4 x gProtozoa Penicillin1 x gFungus Daphnia1 x g Invertebrate Salmo> 100 gFish  Is better to produce Pyramids of Biomass. Still gives pyramid shape, but with steeper slopes.  Is better still to produce Pyramids of Metabolic Contribution (Energy) Primary Producers Primary Consumers Secondary Consumers Tertiary Consumers Primary Producer Primary Consumers Secondary Consumers Tertiary Consumers

Metabolic Pyramid in Food Webs  Use the Productivity per unit Biomass  Smaller organisms have higher metabolic rates Bacteria greproduce 50 x bodyweight/d Protozoa10 -9 greproduce x bodyweight/d zooplankton10 -3 greproduce 0.1 x bodyweight/d fish100 greproduce 0.01 x bodyweight/d  Productivity/Biomass Ratio  Combine P/B with Enumeration data for members within a Trophic level to give best estimate of its Metabolic Contribution (Energy).  Diversity of Organisms.  Number of species in the Community  Ecological Efficiency (5 - 15%)  Key Indicator in monitoring the ‘Condition’ of natural environments (rivers, lakes) and of STP.

Decomposer Food Chain

Energy and Nutrient Flow

Energy - Export, Import, Recycling.

Trophic Pyramids

Energy Flows -Hydraulic Model

Food Pyramids