Download dragon sea moth

TAXONOMY
OR
How do we identify organisms based
on who they are related to, what they
are made of, or what they do?
What does a sea moth look
like?
DRAGON SEA MOTH
Taxonomy

The science of classification

Why classify?
– Huge amount of diversity among living things
– Helps to make sense of it all
Taxonomy

How do we classify?
– Look for common characteristics
 Phylogeny (evolutionary relationships)
 Biochemistry
 Morphology
– Ability to reproduce – biological species
Taxonomic Levels
Example:
 Domain - 3 Domain: Eukaryota
 Kingdom - 6 Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
 Phylum
Class: Mammalia
 Class
Order: Cetacea
 Order
Family: Delphinidae
 Family
Genus: Tursiops
 Genus
Species: T. truncatus
 Species
3 Domains
Bacteria
 Archaea
 Eukaryota

6 Kingdoms
Archaebacteria
 Bacteria (Eubacteria)
 Protista
 Fungi
 Plantae
 Animalia

Goals of Classification

Goal # 1: Give each type of organism a
unique name understood by all

Binomial nomenclature – 2-name naming
system:
– Developed by Carrolus Linneaus based on
visible characteristics.
– Genus & species
– Ex. Panulirus interruptus, a.k.a. Pacific spiny
lobster, rock lobster or crayfish

Goal # 2 – Group organisms according to
how closely related they are

“Related” means they share a common
evolutionary history (phylogeny)

Allows scientists to develop better
understanding about organisms & make
comparisons & predictions
Tree of Life