Taxonomic hierarchy

taxon

a population of organisms that has been grouped together by taxonomists

binomial nomenclature

a two-part system of naming species (genus name & species)

taxonomic hierarchy

an ordered group of taxonomic ranks used to classify organisms from general to specific

taxonomic rank

a level of a group of organisms in a taxonomic hierarchy

taxonomy

is the branch of biology that classifies all living things

Carolus Linnaeus

taxonomy was developed by the Swedish botanist , —-, who lived during the 18th century, and his system of classification is still used today

8

how many ranks does the taxonomic hierarchy have

taxon

is a group of organisms that are classified as a unit

Domain
Kingdom
phylum
class
order
family
genus

ranks that make up the taxonomic hierarchy

domain

the highest rank of organisms

carolus linnaeus

invented the taxonomic hierarchy but did not invent the domain rank

1990

the term domain wasn’t used until —

bacteria
archaea
eukaryota

domains of life

archaea

are single-celled organisms. some of these live in extreme environments but others live in mild ones. They are similar to bacteria

eukaryota

every living thing on earth that is not a bacteria. more closely related to archaea

species

taxonomic ranks are always capitalized except for —

animalia
plantae
fungi
protista
archaea
bacteria

different types of kingdoms

35

how many phylas are there in the kingdom Animalia

class

the most general rank proposed by linnaeus

lepidoptera

the order of butterflies and moths

108

how many classes are there in the kingdom Animalia

canidae

family of dogs wolves foxes

felidae

family of cats

mephitidae

family of skunks

bears

family of ursidae

genus

the first part of an organism’s scientific name using binomial nomenclature

species

the second part of an organism’s scientific name using binomial nomenclature

genus and species

are the only taxonomic ranks that are italicized

species

is the most specific major taxonomic rank

8.7 million

an estimated number of species of organisms on Earth

ursus americanus

black bear

bufo americanus

american toad

species name

is always italicized, but never capitalized