Introduction to Taxonomy

1. Introduction to Taxonomy BIOLOGY The affinities of all the beings of the same class have sometimes been represented by a great tree... As buds give rise by growth to fresh buds, and these if vigorous, branch out and overtop on all sides many a feebler branch, so by generation I believe it has been with the great Tree of Life, which fills with its dead and broken branches the crust of the earth, and covers the surface with its ever branching and beautiful ramifications. Charles Darwin, 1859

2. Taxonomy • Imagine two scientists . . . • One is from the United States and the other is from Germany • Both studying this organism  • English: Hippopotamus • German: Nilpferd(translation, Horse of the Nile)

3. Taxonomy • The creation of a universal language for scientists so that (regardless of language or dialect) precise naming for organisms will occur • Latin was the selected universal language • Hippopotamus amphibus Notice how this is written. Genus capitalized, species lowercase, in italics

4. Taxonomy • Taxonomy is the science of grouping organisms based on their evolutionary similarities. Taxonomists analyze shared characteristics to determine evolutionary relationships between species.

5. Aristotle • Aristotle was the first person to attempt to classify things. He grouped everything into two groups; plants and animals. This system survived for nearly 2,000 years despite many mistakes. There was not an understanding of the microscopic world.

6. Carolus Linnaeus • In the 1700’s, a Swedish naturalist named Carolus Linnaeus designed a new system of classification in which every organism had a unique name. • He grouped organisms with similar structures together as a species. He also classified similar species into a group called genus. Every organism had a scientific name. • Linnaeus is known as the Father of Taxonomy

7. Categories of Classification • The organization for the taxonomy of organisms falls into eight levels. • Domain Does • Kingdom King • Phylum Phillip • Class Chews • Order On • Family Fat • Genus Green • Species Stems • The closer the evolutionary link between two organisms, the closer they will be placed taxonomically. Only members of the same species can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

8. Categories of Classification • Humans are classified in the following way: • Domain – Eukarya • Kingdom – Animalia • Phylum – Chordata • Class – Mammalia • Order – Primate • Family – Homonidae • Genus – Homo • Species – Sapien

11. Binomial Nomenclature • Classifying organisms is important because it: • Eliminates confusion caused by name differences in various regions ex) The cougar, puma, panther, and mountain lion are all the same organism • All scientists will use the same language (Latin). • Organizes vast amounts of information. • Reveals evolutionary relationships.

12. Rules for Writing a Scientific Name • The scientific name of an organism is comprised of two words;the genus and the species name. • Genus name always comes first and is capitalized (Homo) • Species name comes second and is NOT capitalized (sapien) • Both names are either underlined or italicized (Homo sapien)

13. Match the Common to the Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name • Killer whale • Horse • Lion • Crocodile • Dolphin • Cat • Dog • Grizzly bear • Boa constrictor • Equus caballus • Orcinus orca • Delphinus delphis • Panthera leo • Crocodylus miloticus • Constrictor constrictor • Ursus arctos • Felis domesticus • Canis familiarus

14. The Six Kingdoms • Linnaeus classified all organisms into two kingdoms; Plantae and Animalia. • Kingdom Protista was added in the 1800’s • Kingdom Monera and Fungi were added in the 1950’s. • Eubacteria and Archaebacteria were added in the 1990’s • The number of Kingdoms used by taxonomists is still a subject of debate. A six Kingdom system is commonly used today.

15. The Six Kingdoms

16. Domains • A larger, more inclusive category than a kingdom. • 3 domains: • Bacteria (corresponds to kingdom Eubacteria) • Archaea (corresponds to kingdom Archaebacteria) • Eukarya (kingdoms Fungi, Plantae, Animalia, & Protista)

17. Three Domains

18. Domain Bacteria • Unicellular • Prokaryotic (no nucleus) • Some photosynthesize/others don’t • Ecologically diverse

19. Domain Archaea • Unicellular • Prokaryotic • Live in extreme environments (volcanic hot springs) • Many can survive only in the absence of oxygen • Cell membranes contain unusual lipid not found in any other organisms

20. Domain Eukarya • All organisms that have a nucleus • Corresponding to kingdoms: • Fungi • Plantae • Animalia • “Protista”

21. Kingdom Protista • Eukaryotic • Mostly unicellular, some colonial (live in a group) • All eukaryotes that don’t fit in the other kingdoms • Example organisms: ameoba, and paramecium

22. Kingdom Fungi • Eukaryotic • Mostly multicellular • Cell wall • Heterotrophs (other–feeder) • Secrete digestive enzymes into their food source, and then absorb the small molecules into their bodies! • Example organisms: molds, mushrooms, and yeasts

23. Kingdom Plantae • Eukaryotic • Multicellular • Cell wall • Nonmotile (can’t move) • Autotrophs (self–feeder) • Photosynthetic – use energy from sunlight to make their own food • Example organisms: green algae, mosses, ferns, conifer, angiosperms

24. Kingdom Animalia • Eukaryotic • Multicellular • Heterotrophic • No cell walls • Mobile (able to move) • Example organisms: sponges, corals, fish, frogs, snakes, birds, and humans

25. The Six Kingdoms

26. Cladogram

27. Cladogram

28. Cladogram

29. Cladogram

30. Cladogram