BIOL 108 - Topic 3: Taxonomy

Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the scientific discipline focused on identifying, naming, and classifying organisms into hierarchical categories, also known as taxa, based on their shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships. This discipline is crucial for organizing biological diversity, allowing scientists to communicate about species in a standardized way, and facilitating the study of biodiversity and ecology.

Nomenclature

Nomenclature refers to the systematically structured method of naming organisms in the biological sciences. It is an essential component of taxonomy, providing a standardized framework for scientists to communicate about different species. The nomenclature system includes established rules and conventions, such as the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) for animals and the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) for plants. This system ensures that each species has a unique, universally recognized name, typically in Latin or Greek, which includes a genus name followed by a species identifier, thus promoting clarity and consistency in scientific communication.

Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the scientific discipline focused on identifying, naming, and classifying organisms into hierarchical categories, also known as taxa, based on their shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships. This discipline is crucial for organizing biological diversity, allowing scientists to communicate about species in a standardized way, and facilitating the study of biodiversity and ecology.

Nomenclature

Nomenclature refers to the systematically structured method of naming organisms in the biological sciences. It is an essential component of taxonomy, providing a standardized framework for scientists to communicate about different species. The nomenclature system includes established rules and conventions, such as the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) for animals and the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) for plants. This system ensures that each species has a unique, universally recognized name, typically in Latin or Greek, which includes a genus name followed by a species identifier, thus promoting clarity and consistency in scientific communication.

Folk Taxonomy

Casual Taxonomy

Linnaean System of Nomenclature

A hierarchical system of classification developed by Carl Linnaeus, which organizes living organisms into groups based on shared characteristics, primarily consisting of a genus and species name.

Hierarchical Ranks

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

Taxon/Taxonomic Unit

Linnaean Class starts from lower ranks and forms increasingly broader groups and higher ranks (e.g. Family)

Binomial Nomenclature

A two-part naming system for species developed by Carl Linnaeus, consisting of the genus name followed by the species identifier.

Limitation of Linnaeus Classification

It fails to account for genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships among species, leading to potential misclassification. The system does not consider hybridization and the nuances of speciation, potentially oversimplifying the complexity of biodiversity.