Species and taxonomy

Species

Two organisms belong to the same species if they are able to produce fertile offspring

Naming species - binomial system

• first name = generic name - denotes genus to which organism belongs

• second name = specific name - denotes the species to which the organism belongs

Courtship behaviour

courtship behaviour is a necessary precurser to successful mating

• recognise members of own species

• identify a mate capable of breeding

• synchronise mating

• become able to breed

What is taxonomy?

the theory and practice of biological classification

Artificial classification

• divides organisms according to differences that are useful at the time

• e.g. colour, size, number of legs

Phylogenic classification system

Attempts to arrange species into groups based on their evolutionary origins and relationships

• uses a hierarchy in which smaller groups are placed within larger groups with no overlap between groups

Hierarchy of classification

• domain

• kingdom

• phylum

• class

• order

• family

• genus

• species