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Classification of Earth’s Diversity

Classification of Earth’s Diversity. Biodiversity. Biodiversity – the variety of organisms on earth is the result of 3.5 billion years of evolution Approx 8 million species on earth! To make sense of all of them, they are organized into meaningful groups

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Classification of Earth’s Diversity

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  1. Classification of Earth’s Diversity

  2. Biodiversity • Biodiversity – the variety of organisms on earth is the result of 3.5 billion years of evolution • Approx 8 million species on earth! • To make sense of all of them, they are organized into meaningful groups • Species are becoming extinct at an increasing rate, so there is a rush to catalog them

  3. Common vs Scientific Names • Common names are convenient, but there are problems: - same names are used for different species (robin here, robin Europe) - can be more than one name for same species (mt lion, cougar, puma) - very ambiguous (not very descriptive)

  4. Common vs. Scientific Names • Advantages of scientific names: • Provide a consistent naming system for all • Show evolutionary relationships • Systematics – the science of naming and grouping organisms according to biological meaning • Groups are called taxa (singular: taxon)

  5. Binomial Nomenclature • Bi = two, nomial = name • Scientific names have two parts • Always typed in italics (or underlined) • First word is capitalized, second is not • First word - genus – a group of similar species • Second word - species – unique to ONLY that species

  6. Ursus arctos • Ursus americanus • Ursus maritimus • Ursus thibetanus Black bear Use Latin language Brown bear Asian black bear Polar bear

  7. Linnaean Classification • Carolus Linnaeus developed 1st system • Four levels of hierarchy, or ranks • Today there are 7: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species • Bears belong in the Family Ursidae • Pandas are also in this Family, but have a different genus (Ailuropoda)

  8. Mnemonic for remembering • King Phyl Came Over For Good Spaghetti

  9. Kingdom- Ex: p.514 • Largest and most inclusive taxon • All multicellular animals are in the kingdom Animalia

  10. Phylum • Contains groups of organisms that are different but share important characteristics • Phylum Chordata features organisms with a nerve cord along the back • Within the phylum, are groups called Classes…

  11. Class • Classes are groups that narrow down the differences even further • Class Mammalia includes all animals that are warm-blooded, have body hair, and produce milk for their young • Within a class are groups called orders…

  12. Order • Order Artiodactyla contains hoofed animals with an even number of toes • Within an order are groups called Families Family • Family – a group of several genera (plural of genus) that share similarities • Bactrian camel and dromedary more closely related than the llama (Family Camelidae)

  13. Genus species • Camelus bactrianus – two humps • Camelus dromedarius – one hump • The genus Camelus includes both of these species

  14. Identifying Organisms NOT like these • Dichotomous keys • Used to VISUALLY identify organisms • Has series of “couplets” or paired statements that describe visual traits (color, size, unique features, etc.) • Each statement describes the presence or absence of a visible trait • Each set of choices helps to narrow down the identity of the organism

  15. DIRECTIONS: • The most useful tool for such identifications is the dichotomous key, which contains information useful in identifying similar kinds of organisms, but is arranged in a way that allows the information to be used quickly. • A dichotomous key is a list of paired statements (each statement is called a lead) that guides you to the identification of a specimen. • The paired leads (the pair of leads together is called a couplet) are contrasting descriptions of certain characteristics. • In a good key, couplets are written so that you must choose one or the other of the leads as being true for your specimen. Couplet leads should always be mutually exclusive • In addition, the leads in a couplet should be parallel; that is, both should ask questions about the same character(s).

  16. Can you figure out the key? • Help! Scientists have discovered quite a few new creatures on planet Pamishan. They need your help to identify and classify them. Use the dichotomous key on the next page to identify these creatures. • ALWAYS start with step 1, and go to whichever step the key tells you

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