Biological Diversity on the Planet How many different types of organisms are on Earth?

Biological Diversity Refers to all of the different types of organisms on earth Refers to all of the different types of organisms on earth Organisms can live on land (terrestrial), in water (aquatic) or underground (subterranean) Organisms can live on land (terrestrial), in water (aquatic) or underground (subterranean)

What is a species? Group of organisms with the same structures and can reproduce with each other Group of organisms with the same structures and can reproduce with each other Scientists estimate there are between 30 and 100 million different species living today Scientists estimate there are between 30 and 100 million different species living today However, scientists have only described just over 1.7 million different species However, scientists have only described just over 1.7 million different species

Insects, Centipedes and Millipedes different species (55.8% of the world’s total number of species) different species (55.8% of the world’s total number of species) Includes mosquitoes, beetles, flies, ants, etc. Includes mosquitoes, beetles, flies, ants, etc.

Plants different species (15.6% of the world’s total number of species) different species (15.6% of the world’s total number of species) Includes all plants, trees, ferns, flowers, etc. Includes all plants, trees, ferns, flowers, etc.

Fungi and Lichens different species (5.79% of the world’s total number of species) different species (5.79% of the world’s total number of species) Includes mushrooms, lichens (fungi and algae combined) and others Includes mushrooms, lichens (fungi and algae combined) and others

Protozoans and Algae different species (4.63% of the world’s total number of species) different species (4.63% of the world’s total number of species) Includes amoeba, paramecium, euglena and all types of algae Includes amoeba, paramecium, euglena and all types of algae

Spiders and Scorpions different species (4.35% of the world’s total number of species) different species (4.35% of the world’s total number of species) Includes all spiders, tarantulas, and scorpions Includes all spiders, tarantulas, and scorpions

Mollusks different species (4.06% of the world’s total number of species) different species (4.06% of the world’s total number of species) Snails, slugs, clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, squid, octopi etc. Snails, slugs, clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, squid, octopi etc.

Crustaceans different species (2.32% of the world’s total number of species) different species (2.32% of the world’s total number of species) Includes shrimp, lobsters, crabs, etc. Includes shrimp, lobsters, crabs, etc.

Roundworms different species (1.45% of the world’s total number of species) different species (1.45% of the world’s total number of species) Common intestinal parasite of pets, hookworm, pinworm and trichinella Common intestinal parasite of pets, hookworm, pinworm and trichinella

Fish different species (1.27% of the world’s total number of species) different species (1.27% of the world’s total number of species) Includes all fish such as salmon, trout, bass, marlins, sharks, stingrays, etc. Includes all fish such as salmon, trout, bass, marlins, sharks, stingrays, etc.

Flatworms different species (1.16% of the world’s total number of species) different species (1.16% of the world’s total number of species) Group including flatworms called platyhelminthes Group including flatworms called platyhelminthes

Earthworms and Leeches different species (0.70% of the world’s total number of species) different species (0.70% of the world’s total number of species) Just as the group says, includes earthworms and leeches Just as the group says, includes earthworms and leeches

Reptiles and Amphibians different species (0.61% of the world’s total number of species) different species (0.61% of the world’s total number of species) Includes frogs, toads, crocodiles, iguanas, alligators, etc. Includes frogs, toads, crocodiles, iguanas, alligators, etc.

Jellyfish, Corals and Anemones different species (0.58% of the world’s total number of species) different species (0.58% of the world’s total number of species) Includes the above species – jellyfish, corals and anemones Includes the above species – jellyfish, corals and anemones

Sponges different species (0.58% of the world’s total number of species) different species (0.58% of the world’s total number of species) Group including the sponges is called Porifera Group including the sponges is called Porifera

Birds different species (0.58% of the world’s total number of species) different species (0.58% of the world’s total number of species) Includes eagles, hawks, albatrosses, robins, sparrows, etc. Includes eagles, hawks, albatrosses, robins, sparrows, etc.

Mammals different species (0.26% of the world’s total number of species) different species (0.26% of the world’s total number of species) Includes bears, monkeys, whales, tigers, etc. Includes bears, monkeys, whales, tigers, etc.

Bacteria different species (0.23% of the world’s total number of species) different species (0.23% of the world’s total number of species) Found everywhere, cause many diseases and illnesses in other organisms Found everywhere, cause many diseases and illnesses in other organisms

Species Distribution There are many more species located near the equator (particularly in the rainforests) There are many more species located near the equator (particularly in the rainforests) As you move further north or further south from the equator, the number of species decline – see example below As you move further north or further south from the equator, the number of species decline – see example below Species of snakes in Mexico – 293Species of snakes in Mexico – 293 Species of snakes in US – 126Species of snakes in US – 126 Species of snakes in Canada - 22Species of snakes in Canada - 22