Taxonomy - Chap 14 and 19Taxonomy is the science of naming and

classifying organismsThe system used by biologists is called the

Linnnaean System.Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish biologist in the

mid-1700sHe popularized a system of grouping

organisms according to like characteristics and giving each group a specific name.

TaxonomyThe most important part of this system was

the use of binomial nomenclatureBinomial nomenclature is the use of a two

word name to identify individual species, i.e. Anampses chrysocephalus is the Psychedelic Wrasse.

Many of the species Linnaeus named in 1753 still have the two-part names he gave them.

TaxonomyThe first part of the name is the genus.

A genus is a group of closely related species.Most hybrids are between two species in the

same genus.The genus is always capitalized.

The second part of the name is the species name.A species is a group of organisms that are

capable of interbreeding and can produce fertile offspring of both sexes.

The species name is never capitalized.

TaxonomySaccopharynx

harrisoniGenus :

SaccopharynxSpecies : harrisoniOther species in the

same genus include berteli, hjorti, flagellum and thalassa

Common Name vs. Scientific NameScientific name:

Naso lituratusCommon Names:

Orangespine Unicornfish

Orangespine Tang

Naso TangOrange Lipstick

SurgeonfishUmaumalei

(Hawaiian name)

Higher Levels of ClassificationThere are 8 levels of classification.

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Each level of classification is based on characteristics that are shared by all organisms in that level.

A handy mnemonic:Dumb Kids Play Checkers On Freeways Get

Smashed.Danish Kings Play Chess On Fat Green Stools.Daringly Keeping Precious Creatures

Organized For Grumpy Scientists

A Sample Organism

The American LobsterDomain: Eukarya - made of eukaryotic cellsKingdom: Animalia – multicellular heterotroph whose cells

lack cell wallsPhylum: Arthropoda – jointed appendages, exoskeleton, and

a segmented bodySubphylum: Crustacea – Use gills to breathe, have antennaeClass: Malacostraca – 3 body segments with 5 head

segments, 8 thorax segments and 6 abdomen segmentsOrder: Decapoda – ten legsFamily: Nephropidae – clawed lobstersGenus: Homarus – Atlantic clawed lobstersSpecies: americanus – American Lobster

DomainsThere are three domains.

Archaea – Unicellular prokaryotes, often found in harsh environments

Bacteria – Unicellular prokaryotes, found everywhere

Eukarya – Uni or Multicellular organisms Most non-microscopic life is included in this

domain.

Prokaryotic vs. EukaryoticAll cells can be divided into two types

Prokaryotic cells don’t have a nucleus. All prokaryotes are unicellular.

Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus Eukaryotes can be either unicellular or

multicellular.

ArchaeaContains one kingdom, ArchaebacteriaUnicellular prokaryotesArchaebacteria are often found in extreme

environments, such as hot springs or salty lakes.Thermophiles live in very hot places, up to 106 degrees

celsius!Acidophiles live in water as acidic as sulfuric acid!However, some live in the same environments bacteria do.

BacteriaContains one kingdom, BacteriaThe most abundant organisms on earth!Unicellular prokaryotesSome live without oxygen, called anaerobes.Some use inorganic compounds such as

ammonia or methane to make energy.

EukaryaThe domain Eukarya is made of four

kingdoms.Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia

All organisms in the domain Eukarya are eukaryotes.

Most are multicellular, some are unicellular.Some are microscopic, but most can be seen

with the naked eye.Eukarya is the only domain that has

organisms that undergo true sexual reproduction.

ProtistaThe “garbage” kingdom

If an organism isn’t a plant, an animal or a fungus, it’s a protist.

Many are unicellular, in fact, all unicellular eukaryotes (except yeasts) are included in kingdom Protista.

Because they are a “garbage” kingdom, they have diverse characteristics.

Notable types of protists:Algaes and kelpsDiatomsDinoflagellatesSlime Molds

Protista

FungiFungi include mushrooms, molds and yeasts.All fungi are multicellular except yeasts.Like animals, all fungi get their energy from

eating.Fungi secrete digestive enzymes onto whatever

they are growing.Most are decomposers that live on dead

organisms, but some are parasites.

PlantaeKingdom Plantae includes all the plants.All are multicellular.All are autotrophs, which means they convert the

sunlight into energy.They are non-motile, which means they can’t move

from place to place.Many of their adaptations, such as seeds, are a way

to overcome this disadvantage.

AnimaliaAnimals are multicellular eukaryotes.All animals get their energy from other

organisms.Animals are either vertebrates, which means

they have a backbone, or invertebrates, which means they don’t have a backbone.Of the 1 million species of animals, only about

42,500 are vertebrates!