Systematics
Based on
Evolutionar
y
Relationshi
ps:
Taxonomy
Subtitle
Emperor
Shen Nung
of China
Key terms
Classification is the process of grouping living organisms into
categories based on their similarities and differences. This hierarchical
system helps organize the vast diversity of life into manageable groups,
facilitating understanding and communication among scientists. The
most used system includes ranks such as domain, kingdom, phylum,
class, order, family, genus, and species.
Description in biology refers to the detailed characterization of an
organism's physical and biological attributes. This includes features
such as morphology, anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Descriptions
are crucial for distinguishing between different species and
understanding their roles within ecosystems.
Key terms
A hierarchy in biology refers to the structured arrangement of
categories used in classification. It is a nested system where each
level is contained within the one above it. For example, a species
belongs to a genus, which belongs to a family, and so on, up to the
highest level of domain.
Identification is the process of determining the name and
classification of an organism based on its characteristics. It involves
comparing the organism's features with known descriptions to place
it within the appropriate taxonomic group.
Key terms
Nomenclature refers to the system of naming organisms. In
biology, this is typically done using binomial nomenclature, where
each species is given a unique two-part name consisting of a genus
and species name (e.g., Homo sapiens). This system ensures
consistency and clarity in scientific communication.
Taxonomy is the science of classifying living organisms. It involves
the identification, naming, and grouping of organisms based on shared
characteristics. Taxonomy is a key component of systematics, which
also includes the study of evolutionary relationships among organisms.
Carl Linnaeus: Father of
Taxonomy
• Binomial Nomenclature
• each species is identified by a combination of a
genus name and a species name, both in Latin
(e.g., Homo sapiens)
• Linnaean Taxonomy
• hierarchical system of classification that organizes
living organisms into ranks such as kingdom, class,
order, genus, and species
• Systema Naturae and Species Plantarum
• Linnaeus published Systema Naturae (1735)
and Species Plantarum (1753), which were pivotal
in establishing his classification system. Systema
Naturae classified animals, while Species
Plantarum focused on plants
• Standardization and Accessibility
• simplified the naming process by replacing lengthy
descriptive names with concise binomials, making
taxonomy more accessible to a broader audience
Classification
System,
Nomenclature
and Identification
Importance of a Classification System
Organization of Biodiversity: A classification system provides a
structured approach to categorize the vast diversity of organisms into coherent
units called taxa. This organization helps scientists understand relationships
among different species and how they have evolved over time.
Facilitating Research: By grouping organisms based on shared
characteristics, classification aids in biological research, allowing scientists to draw
comparisons, identify patterns, and make predictions about ecological interactions
and evolutionary processes.
Conservation Efforts: Accurate classification is vital for conservation
biology. It enables scientists to identify endangered or at-risk species, prioritize
conservation resources, and develop strategies for ecosystem management.
Importance of Nomenclature
Standardization: Nomenclature involves the standardized
naming of organisms, which is essential for clear communication
among scientists globally. The use of universally recognized scientific
names (e.g., Homo sapiens for humans) reduces confusion that can
arise from common names, which vary by language and region.
Facilitating Collaboration: A consistent naming system
enhances collaboration among researchers across different
disciplines and geographical locations. It allows for the efficient
sharing of information and data regarding species.
Importance of Identification
Species Recognition: Identification is the process of determining the name
and classification of an organism based on its characteristics. This is crucial for
recognizing species in ecological studies and biodiversity assessments.
Understanding Relationships: Accurate identification helps scientists
understand the relationships between different organisms, which is essential for
studying ecosystems and their dynamics. It allows researchers to track changes in
populations and assess the health of ecosystems.
Practical Applications: In fields such as agriculture, medicine, and
environmental science, proper identification is necessary for managing resources
effectively. For example, identifying pest species can help in developing targeted
control measures.
Taxonomy is the science of naming,
describing, and classifying organisms into
groups based on shared characteristics and
evolutionary relationships.
Early Taxonomists
• Aristotle: One of the earliest taxonomists, Aristotle
classified living things into plants and animals based on
attributes like having four legs or laying eggs.
• Theophrastus: A student of Aristotle, Theophrastus
wrote about 500 plants and their uses, contributing
significantly to early botanical classification.
• Andrea Caesalpino: Known as the "first taxonomist,"
Caesalpino classified plants based on growth habits and
fruit/seed forms.
Linnaean System of
Classification
The Linnaean system of classification,
developed by Carl Linnaeus, is a
hierarchical method for categorizing
living organisms based on their
characteristics.
Key Components of the
Linnaean System
Hierarchical Structure: The system organizes living organisms
into a series of nested ranks, from broadest to most specific. The
original ranks included kingdom, class, order, genus, and species.
Modern taxonomy has expanded this to include additional ranks such
as domain, phylum (or division for plants), and family.
Original Kingdoms: Linnaeus initially divided nature into three
kingdoms: animals, plants, and minerals. However, modern
taxonomy focuses only on living organisms and includes additional
kingdoms like fungi and protists.
Key Components of the
Linnaean System
Classification Process: Organisms are grouped based on
shared characteristics. For example, animals are classified into
classes like Mammalia or Aves, which are further divided into orders,
families, genera, and species5.
Binomial Nomenclature: A crucial innovation of Linnaeus was
the use of binomial nomenclature, where each species is identified by
a unique combination of a genus name and a species name (e.g.,
Homo sapiens). This system ensures clarity and consistency in
naming species across different languages and regions.
Binomial Nomenclature
Binomial nomenclature is a fundamental system in biology
used to name and identify species. Developed by Carl Linnaeus, it
provides a standardized method for naming organisms using a two-part
name consisting of a genus and species.
Definition: Binomial nomenclature is a system where each
species is given a unique name composed of two parts: the genus name
and the species name, both typically in Latinized form.
Purpose: This system ensures that each species has a universally
recognized name, facilitating communication among scientists across
languages and regions.
Components of Binomial
Nomenclature
• Generic Name (Genus): The first part of the
binomial name, which identifies the genus to which the
species belongs. It is capitalized (e.g., Homo in Homo
sapiens; Homo sapiens).
• Specific Name (Species): The second part,
which distinguishes the species within the genus. It starts
with a lowercase letter (e.g., sapiens in Homo sapiens).
Rules and Conventions
• International Codes: The naming process follows international
codes such as the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature
(ICBN) for plants and the International Code of Zoological
Nomenclature (ICZN) for animals.
• Latinized Names: Names are usually in Latin or Latinized form,
and they are italicized when typed or underlined when handwritten (e.g.
Homo sapiens or Homo sapiens).
• Capitalization and Punctuation: The genus name is
capitalized, while the species name is lowercase. When handwritten,
names are underlined to denote their Latin origin.
Examples
Genus Species Common Name
Homo sapiens Human
Philippine
Eagle - Pithecophaga
jefferyi
Philippine
Crocodile - Crocodylus
mindorensis
Philippine Deer - Rusa
marianna
Guava - Psidium guajava
Chanos chanos - Bangrus
Oryza sativa (for Asian
rice)
Spathomeles rizali Handsome Fungus Beetle
Rhacophorus rizali Harlequin Tree Frog
The Dichotomous Key
A dichotomous key is a systematic tool used to identify and
classify organisms or objects based on a series of paired choices
that lead to the correct identification.
Definition: A dichotomous key is derived from the Greek words
"di" meaning "two" and "tome" meaning "cutting instrument,"
referring to the process of dividing into two parts at each step.
Purpose: It aids in identifying organisms by presenting a series of
contrasting characteristics, guiding users through a step-by-step
process until the final identification is made.
Example of a Dichotomous
Key
Dichotomy of Beans:
1a. The bean is round — Garbanzo bean.
1b. The bean is oblong — Go to step 2.
2a. The bean is a dark color — Go to step 3.
2b. The bean is white — White Northern bean.
3a. The bean is speckled — Pinto bean.
3b. The bean is a solid color — Go to step 4.
4a. The bean is black — Black bean.
4b. The bean is dark red — Kidney bean.
