1. Introduction to Taxonomy
Diversity of Life
Introduction to Taxonomy

2. Taxonomy Science of classifying living things
Aristotle – devised 1st classification system over 2,000 years ago
Animals
Plants
Air dwellers
herbs
Land dwellers
shrubs
Water dwellers
trees

3. Current System of Taxonomy
Developed by Carolus Linnaeus (18th century Swedish biologist)
Grouped organisms according to structural similarities – those that looked most closely alike, were most closely related
Gave organisms Latin names --- WHY?

4. Reasons for Latin
It is a “dead language, no longer used so it won’t change over time
It is understood by scientists from all over the world (universal language of science)
Many Latin words are suitable for describing the traits of organisms

6. Binomial Nomenclature
“two word naming”
Name consists of genus and species
Proper format includes:
1st name = Genus nd name = species
Genus name always begins with a capital letter
species name always begins with a small letter
Underline or italicize both names

7. Binomial Nomenclature and Latin
Acer saccharum (sugar maple)
Acer = maple saccharum = sweet or sugar
Acer rubrum (red maple)
Acer = maple rubrum = red

8. Examples of Scientific Names-(Binomial Nomenclature)
Cats
Felis tigris (tiger)
Felis leo (lion)
Felis domestica (housecat)
Dogs
Canis lupus (wolf)
Canis latrans (coyote)
Canis domestica (domestic dog)

9. NO Common Names are Used
Misleading
Tells us nothing about the relationships between organisms
Can be different from place to place for the same organism

10. Common Name Problems “Starfish”, “Crayfish”, “Jellyfish” - NOT FISH
“Sea Robin” – is a fish, NOT A BIRD
“Spanish moss” – is NOT MOSS, it is a flowering plant

11. Groupings in a Classification System
Biologists group organisms as follows: (large groups down to individuals)
Kingdom
Phyla -
Class -
Order -
Family -
Genus -
Species -
Relationships of different “Levels” of classification can be compared to geographic destinations
Continent
Country
State
County
City
Street #
House #

12. Mnemonic Devices King Phillip Cried Out – “For Goodness Sake”
King Phillip Came Over From Germany Saturday
Kyle Puked Chunks Of Fuzzy Green Stuff
Make up your own!!!!

13. Remember,
The smaller the group, the more alike are its members

14. Examples of Classifying Humans
Kingdom – Animalia
Phyla – Chordata/Vertebrata
Class – Mammalia (mammary glands)
Order – Primates (stand, walk erect)
Family – Hominidae (early human)
Genus – Homo (true humans, larger brains)
Species – sapiens (“wise”, sophisticated, large brain) = only surviving human species
Varieties: ex. different races of humans
different breeds of dogs

15. The End