1. 1 Classification of organisms

2. 2 There are 13 billion known species of organisms There are 13 billion known species of organisms This is only 5% of all organisms that ever lived!!!!! This is only 5% of all organisms that ever lived!!!!! New organisms are still being found and identified New organisms are still being found and identified Species of Organisms

3. 3 What is it? Classification is the arrangement of organisms into orderly groups based on their similarities Also called taxonomy

4. 4 Why classify organism? Accurate & uniform names Accurate & uniform names Prevents misnomers (mistakes) (jellyfish are NOT fish) Prevents misnomers (mistakes) (jellyfish are NOT fish) Uses same language (Latin or some Greek) Uses same language (Latin or some Greek) Sea”horse”??

5. 5 Confusion in Using Different Languages for Names

6. 6 Latin Names are Understood by EVERYONE!!!

7. 7 The first taxonomist Aristotle, 2000 years ago Aristotle, 2000 years ago divided organisms into plants & animals divided organisms into plants & animals subdivided them by their habitat -land, sea, or air subdivided them by their habitat -land, sea, or air

8. 8 Father of Taxonomy Carolus Linnaeus 1707 – 1778 Carolus Linnaeus 1707 – 1778 18th century Classified organisms by their structures Developed the modern system of naming called binomial nomenclature Developed the modern system of naming called binomial nomenclature (2-word naming system for each species) (2-word naming system for each species)

9. 9 Binomial Nomenclature Genus + species (specific epithet) Genus + species (specific epithet) Latin or Greek Latin or Greek Italicized in print Italicized in print Capitalize genus, but NOT species Capitalize genus, but NOT species Underline when writing Underline when writing Turdus migratorius American Robin

10. 10 Binomial Nomenclature

11. 11 So how do we group organisms? Taxon ( taxa-plural) is a category into which related organisms are placed Taxon ( taxa-plural) is a category into which related organisms are placed There is a hierarchy (order) for these groups from broadest to most specific There is a hierarchy (order) for these groups from broadest to most specific

12. 12 Hierarchy of Taxonomic Groups Domain (3) Kingdom (6) Phylum (called Division for plants) Class Order Family Genus Species BROADEST TAXON

13. 13 King Phillip Came Over For Green Soup!

14. 14