5.3 Classification of Biodiversity

Taxonomy

the science of identifying, naming and grouping organisms based on their physical features

Who discovered the Binomial System of Classification

**G**enus + **s**pecies e.g Homo sapiens

Carolus Linnaeus

What is the binomial system of classification

* a method of naming and classifying living organisms
* is a standardized naming system which allows all scientists to communicate effectively = important for understanding biodiversity

Hierarchy of Taxa

“special games for our class produce krazy disasters”

Species

Genus

Family

Order

Class

Phylum

Kingdom

Domain

Grey Wolf Taxon *Canis lupis*

S: *lupis*

G: *Canis*

F: Canidae

O: Carnivora

C: Mammalia

P: Chordata

K: Anamalia

D: Eukaryota

Date Palm *Phoenix dactylifera*

S: *dactylifera*

G: *Phoenix*

F: Arecaceae

O: Palmales

C: Monocotyledoneae

P: Angiospermophyta

K: Plantae

D: Eukaryota

Viruses

* don’t fall into any **domain**
* cannot produce outside of a host cell
* considered non living however don’t feed / grow like living things

\

3 Domains

Eukaryota

* Plantae, animalia, fungi, protista

Prokaryota

* Bacteria, archaea

Eubacteria

Natural Classification

* organisms that share a taxa and consists of evolved species
* have a common ancestry = share characteristics
* due to convergent evolution / adaptive radiation

Reclassification

when species are reclassified after scientists have found out they have evolved from a different ancestry

e.g Aster flower has been split into 2 different species

Artificial Classification methods

* Alphabetical order
* human preference (taste / smell)
* Money’s worth
* Importance to industry

Natural Classification methods

* morphology
* DNA
* Diet
* Habitat

Why is natural classification more reliable than artificial classification?

* there is a greater understanding of the biosphere as naturally occurring rather than in terms of human objectives
* shows evolutionary links and common ancestory
* can predict the characteristics shared by group members

Bryophyta (4)

1. w/o vascular ∴ smaller
2. no cuticles
3. no roots ∴ rhizoids anchor and absorb
4. reproduce via spores on stalks

Filicinopyta (4)

1. Vascular fern ∴ bigger (w stem, root, leaves)
2. woodly tissue ∴ taller
3. fibrous and rhizoid roots
4. reproduce via spores

Coniferophyta (4)

1. vascular systems ∴ bigger
2. gametes (pollen + fem ovules) but no flower, fruit or nuts
3. Fertilization doesn’t require water
4. Adaptations from arid enviro (tough leaves, thick cuticles, sunken stomata)

Angiospermata (4)

1. vascular ∴ bigger
2. gametes (pollen + fem ovules)
3. Fertilization doesn’t require water
4. Seed dispersion via production of fruits / nut

Vertebrate

Has a backbone e.g fish, mammal, reptiles, birds

Invertebrate

No backbone e.g snail, starfish, spider, slug

Porifera

1. invertebrate
2. is an aquatic sponge
3. no nervous / muscular systems
4. pumps water and filters out food to digest

Cnidaria

1. invertebrate
2. jellyfish, sea anenomes, coral
3. sting their pray to capture
4. mouth eliminates waste

Platyhelminthes

1. invertebrate
2. marine / parasitic worms, tapeworms
3. bilateral symmetry
4. mouth and no anus

Annelid

1. invertebrate
2. segmented worms, leeches
3. bilateral symmetry
4. separate mouth and anus

Mollusca

1. invertebrates
2. slugs, snails, octopi
3. body has bilateral symmetry - not shell
4. separate mouth and anus
5. produce a shell for protection

Arthropoda

1. invertebrate
2. insects and spiders
3. not all have bilateral symmetry
4. separate mouth and anus
5. jointed appendages

Mammalia

1. vertebrate class
2. endothermic (warm blooded)
3. produce milk for young
4. have fur
5. have mammary glands

Amphibia

1. vertebrate class
2. ectothermic (cold blooded)
3. permeable skin to absorb water
4. may undergo metamorphosis
5. lay eggs w/o shells

Ares

1. (birds) vertebrate class
2. mostly endothermic (warm blooded)
3. hollow bones to fly lightly
4. feathers
5. lay eggs with shells

Fish

1. vertebrate class
2. ectothermic (cold blooded)
3. fins, gills and scales
4. 3 classes (jawless, cartillage, bony)

Reptilia

1. vertebrate class
2. ectothermic (cold blooded)
3. scales
4. most lay eggs