Development of Evolutionary Thought & Evidence of Evolution – Taxonomy Basics

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms in Linnaean taxonomy, binomial nomenclature, major taxonomic ranks, representative groups, and related evolutionary concepts.

Taxonomy

The biological science of classifying living organisms into hierarchical groups called taxa.

Taxon (plural: Taxa)

Any named group within a classification system, such as kingdom, phylum, class, etc.

Carolus Linnaeus

18th-century Swedish botanist known as the "father of taxonomy" who created the Linnaean classification system.

Systema Naturae

Linnaeus’s 1735 publication that laid out his hierarchical system for classifying the natural world.

Binomial Nomenclature

Two-part Latin naming system (genus + species) used to identify every organism.

Genus Name

The first, capitalized, italicized (or underlined) word in a scientific name representing a broader category.

Species Epithet

The second, lowercase, italicized word in a binomial that specifies the organism within its genus.

Kingdom

Highest taxonomic rank in Linnaean hierarchy (e.g., Animalia, Plantae).

Phylum

Taxonomic rank below kingdom that groups organisms sharing major body plans (e.g., Chordata, Arthropoda).

Class

Taxonomic rank below phylum; examples in Chordata include Mammalia and Aves (birds).

Order

Rank below class; examples in Mammalia include Primates and Rodentia.

Family

Rank below order; examples in Primates include Hominidae (apes, humans) and Hylobatidae (gibbons).

Genus

Rank below family; examples in Hominidae include Homo and Pan.

Species

Lowest Linnaean rank; a group of organisms capable of interbreeding (e.g., Pan troglodytes).

Chordate

Member of phylum Chordata; animals with an internal skeleton and, in most, a backbone.

Arthropod

Member of phylum Arthropoda; invertebrates with exoskeletons, segmented bodies, and jointed limbs.

Arachnid

Class of arthropods including spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites.

Chilopoda

Class of arthropods commonly known as centipedes, with one pair of legs per body segment.

Collembola

Primitive wingless insects called springtails noted for a spring-like jumping appendage.

Crustacean

Aquatic arthropods such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimp possessing two pairs of antennae.

Diplopoda

Class of arthropods comprising millipedes, each segment bearing two pairs of legs.

Diplura

Order of wingless hexapods nicknamed "two tails" for their paired caudal appendages.

Myriapoda

Subphylum that includes multi-legged arthropods such as centipedes and millipedes.

Homo sapiens

Scientific name for modern humans; translates to "wise man" or "intelligent man."

Homo erectus

Extinct human species named for its upright stance; had long legs and shorter arms.

Homo habilis

Extinct human species known as "handy man" with larger braincase and tool use.

Gradualism (Geology)

James Hutton’s idea that profound Earth changes occur slowly over long periods, inspiring evolutionary thought.

Paleontology

Study of fossils; provides evidence for evolutionary change through geological time.