1. Biological Classification

2. Why classify?
Humans have developed classification systems in order to make sense of the abundant biological diversity that exists in nature.

3. Taxonomy …the identification, naming, and classification of species
Taxonomists spend their time searching for previously unknown organisms, determining their relationships to known organisms, and giving them names.

4. The Linnaean System of Classification
The system is hierarchical.
Larger groups are more general and smaller groups are more specific.
For example, the phylum Chordata includes both lions and lionfish, but the genus Panthera includes only lions.
Chordata
Panthera

5. The Linnaean System of Classification
The system is phylogenetic.
It is meant to reflect the evolutionary interrelatedness among groups.
For example, the grey wolf and the dog both are placed in the genus Canis because of their close evolutionary relationship.
Homologous structures are the clues used to assess how closely organisms are related.
grey wolf
dog

6. Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification

7. “Kansas Predators Catch Old Furry Grey Squirrels”
Kingdom, Phylum…what?
An easy way to remember the classification levels:
“Kansas Predators Catch Old Furry Grey Squirrels”
Try to make up your own!

8. Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification for the…
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification for the…
Grizzly Bear

9. Kingdom The most general of the seven levels.
Traditionally, biologists have recognized five different kingdoms: Monerans, Protists, Fungi, Plants, Animals

11. Phylum (plural: phyla)
Each kingdom is subdivided into smaller, more specific groups called phyla.

13. Class
Each phylum is subdivided into smaller groups called classes.

15. Order
Each class is subdivided into smaller groups called orders.

17. Family
Each order is subdivided into smaller groups called families.

19. Genus (plural: genera)
Each family is subdivided into smaller groups called genera.

21. Species Each genus is subdivided into smaller groups called species.
The species is the most specific level of classification.

23. Scientific Names
The scientific name (binomial) of an organism contains two parts—the name of the genus and the name of the species.

24. Writing Scientific Names
The rules for writing scientific names:
-CAPITALIZE the first letter of the genus name.
-Do not capitalize the species name.
-Both names must be underlined or italicized.
Example: human = Homo sapiens

25. Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification for the…
Kingdom-Animalia
Phylum-Chordata
Class-Mammalia
Order-Carnivora
Family-Felidae
Genus-Panthera
Species-leo
Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification for the…
Lion

26. Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification for the…
Kingdom-Animalia
Phylum-Chordata
Class-Mammalia
Order-Primates
Family-Hominidae
Genus-Homo
Species-sapiens
Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification for the…
Human

27. Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification for the…
Kingdom-Animalia
Phylum-Chordata
Class-Mammalia
Order-Carnivora
Family-Canidae
Genus-Canis
Species-familiaris
Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification for the…
Dog

28. Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification for the…
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Xenarthra
Family: Myrmecophagidae
Genus Tamandua
Species: tetradactyla
Seven Levels of Taxonomic Classification for the…
Collared Anteater