Taxonomy
Taxonomy - study of classifying organisms Taxonomists are scientists who study classifying Taxon ( taxa-plural) is a category into which related organisms are placed
Reasons to Classify: Shows evolutionary relationships Accurately & uniformly names organisms Prevents misnomers such as starfish & jellyfish that aren't really fish Uses same language (Latin) for all names Prevents duplicated names because all names must be approved by International Naming Congresses (International Zoological Congress) Naming rules are followed called the International Code for Binomial Nomenclature
Early Taxonomy: Aristotle was the first taxonomist dividing organisms into land, sea, & air dwellers John Ray was the first to use Latin for naming Linnaeus developed the modern system of naming known as binomial nomenclature, a two-word name (Genus & species
Scientific names should be italicized in print or underlined when writing Always capitalize the genus name, but write the species in lower case The scientific name for man is Homo sapiens The genus name may be abbreviated, but not the species (H. sapiens)
What does a Puma, Cougar and Mountain Lion have in common?
They are all the same organisms just with different common names. Common names are different names for the same organism based on where they live.
Taxonomic categories: Linnaeus placed organisms into related groups called taxa (taxon-singular) based on their morphology (similar structure & function) The broadest taxon is called the domain (used to be Kingdom) Linnaeus put all organisms into one of two kingdoms --- Plantae or Animalia
8 Division of Classification: (Broadest to most specific) Domain Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus species
Three Domains: 1. Archaebacteria: “ Ancient Bacteria”, First living cells, live in extreme conditions Known as EXTREMOPHILES -live in swamps, guts of animals,salty oceans volcanic vents and hot springs. 2. Eubacteria: “True bacteria” Bacteria which affects your everyday life some even causing tooth decay,spoils our food, causes illness. Evolved from archaebacteria.
3. Eukarya: “True Nucleus”, this domain contains all organisms whose cells contain a nucleus: Divided into 4 kingdoms Protista: Fungi: Plantae: Animalia:
Each taxa is a proper noun &should be capitalized except species Each level or taxon groups together organisms that share more characteristics than the level above
Botanists use the term division instead of phylum for classifying plants Plant species are subdivided into varieties, while bacteria are subdivided into strains
Unicellular- Made up of only one cell Multicellular-Made up of many cells Prokaryotic- Cells without a nucleus Eukaryotic-Cells with a nucleus Autotrophic Makes own food Photosynthesis Heterotrophic Obtains food from other sources
DomainArchae- bacteria Eu- bacteria Eukarya Kingdom ProtistaFungiPlantaeAnimalia Unicellular, Multicellular or both Autotrophic Heterotrophic or both Prokaryotic or Eukaryotic Mobile or nonmobile Examples:
DomainArchae- bacteria Eu- bacteria Eukarya Kingdom ProtistaFungiPlantaeAnimalia Unicellular, Multicellular or both unicellular Both Most uni Both Most multi multi Autotrophic Heterotrophic or both both heteroautohetero Prokaryotic or Eukaryotic Pro Eu Mobile or nonmobile mobile non mobile Examples:Thermoprot eus E.Coli Salmonella Amoeba Paramecium Euglena diatom Mushroom mold Fern Rose Oak tree moss Human Worm Sponge spider
What is a species? The Biological Species Concept (BSC) explains that organisms are members of the same species if they can interbreed and their offspring are not sterile. Ex: donkeys & horses are different species because t their offspring (mules) are sterile. Ex: grey wolves (Canis lupus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) are the same species, offspring are red wolves (Canis rufus) which are able to reproduce The Phylogenetic Species Concept which explains that a species is a group of organisms with a distinct evolutionary past. Ex: red wolves do not have unique genetic characteristics
Family: Ursidae Ursus arctus Ursus americanus Ursus maritimus
What about Grolar Bears?
Day 10 Grolar Bear Article Questions: 1. What is a grolar bear? 2.What does a grolar bear look like? 3.Why are biologists excited about this particular bear? 4.Why do biologists predict grolar bears will become more common? 5.According to the Biological Species Concept, should polar and grizzly bears be classified as separate species? Explain.