Taxonomy: Classification of Living Things
In addition to scientific names, Linnaeus grouped organisms into taxonomic categories.
They are the kingdom, phylum or division, class, order, family, genus, and species. The largest category is the kingdom.
· A kingdom is divided into several phyla. For instance, Kingdom Animalia includes the invertebrate and vertebrate phyla, such as poriferans, coelenterates, arthropods, annelids, roundworms, chordates, and other groups.
· A phylum is subdivided into classes. For example, in Phylum Chordata (backboned animals), there are 7 classes: agnatha (jawless fishes), chondrichthyes (cartilage fishes), osteichthyes (bony fishes), amphibia, reptilian, aves, and animalia. In plants and fungi, the word division is used instead of phylum.
· A class is further subdivided into several orders. For example, Class Mammalia is composed of Marsupialia (pouched mammals), Monotremata (egg-laying mammals), Carnivora (meat-eaters), Primata (placental mammals), and many others.
· An order is composed of several familes, which in turn consist of genera. For example, Order Carnivora includes Felidae, the cat family. There are different kinds of cats. The genus Felis refers to the house cat, and Panthera refers to lions, tigers, and leopards. There are several species in each genus.
· A species is a group of organisms that are similar and are capable of interbreeding among themselves under natural conditions. Felis domestica and Felis catus are examples of house cats.
Classification of Modern Humans
Taxonomic Category
| Classification
| Characteristics
|
Kingdom | Animalia | Heterotrophic, with highly specialized tissues and organ system |
Phylum | Chordata | Presence of notochord and backbone |
Class | Mammalia | Presence of hair and mammary glands |
Order | Primata | Large and complex brain; opposable thumb; has placenta |
Family | Hominidae | Upright; two-legged stance; no tail |
Genus | Homo | Large brain; rounded skull; extensive use of tools |
Species | sapiens | High degree of intelligence |
At first, there were only two kingdoms—Plantae and Animalia. Nowadays, most taxonomists recognize five kingdoms. Organisms are assigned to their kingdoms according to the characteristics of their cells, and the way they obtain food and arranged from the simplest to the most complex forms:
1. Kingdom Monera
2. Kingdom Protista
3. Kingdom Fungi
4. Kingdom Plantae
5. Kingdom Animalia
The Plant Kingdom contains many-celled or multi-cellular organisms that can make their own food.
The Animal Kingdom includes multi-cellular organisms that cannot make their own food, and can move about.
Organisms that are neither plants nor animals are classified into Monera, Protista, and Fungi Kingdoms.
Category: Biology
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