1. Classes Division of a phylum
Examples of classes of the phylum Chordata (See Phylum Chordata)
Fish
Aves
Amphibia
Reptilia
Mammalia

2. Orders Division of a class
Organisms in the same order are more closely related than those in any taxa above

3. Family Division of an order
Names of this taxa usually end with the letters ae (Hominidae, Bovidae, Equidae, Felidae)
Members of the Family Hominidae include orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans.

4. Genus Division of family
Example Homo - Humans are the only surviving members of this genus

5. Mammals Members of one Class of Phylum Chordata Characteristics Fur
Warm-blooded
Mammary glands

6. Special Groups of Mammals

7. Marsupials Pouched Mammals
Short gestation periods; offspring continue developing after birth in the mother’s pouch
Most live in Australia
Examples include kangaroos, wallabies, koala, opossums (only one in North America), wombats and the Tasmanian devil

8. Monotremes Egg-laying Mammals Only echidnas and platypuses
Live in Australia and New Guinea