10th edition of Systema Naturae

Systema Naturae

Cover of the 10th edition of Systema Naturae
Author	Carl Linnaeus
Original title	Systema Naturæ per regna tria naturæ
Country	Sweden
Language	Latin
Subject	Taxonomy
Publication date	1758
Media type	Print

Systema Naturae is a seminal work in the field of taxonomy by the Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist Carl Linnaeus. The 10th edition, published in 1758, is particularly significant as it established the binomial nomenclature system that is still in use today.

Overview

The 10th edition of Systema Naturae is considered a landmark in the history of biological classification. It was in this edition that Linnaeus introduced a consistent use of binomial nomenclature, which assigns each species a two-part Latin name. This systematized the naming of organisms and laid the foundation for modern biological classification.

Linnaeus's work categorized the natural world into three kingdoms: Animalia, Plantae, and Mineralia. Within these kingdoms, he further divided organisms into classes, orders, genera, and species. The 10th edition included descriptions of approximately 4,400 species of animals and 7,700 species of plants.

Significance

The 10th edition of Systema Naturae is significant for several reasons:

• **Standardization of Nomenclature**: It established a universal system for naming organisms, which facilitated communication and research across different languages and regions.
• **Foundation for Modern Taxonomy**: Linnaeus's hierarchical classification system is the basis for the modern taxonomic system used in biology today.
• **Influence on Evolutionary Biology**: Although Linnaeus did not propose evolutionary relationships, his classification system provided a framework that later scientists, such as Charles Darwin, used to explore evolutionary connections.

Contents

The 10th edition is divided into several sections, each dealing with a different group of organisms. Some of the major sections include:

• **Mammalia**: This section includes descriptions of mammals, categorized into orders such as Primates, Carnivora, and Cetacea.
• **Aves**: Birds are classified into orders like Accipitres and Passeres.
• **Amphibia**: This group includes reptiles and amphibians, which were not yet separated into distinct classes.
• **Pisces**: Fish are categorized into various orders.
• **Insecta**: Insects are classified into orders such as Coleoptera and Lepidoptera.
• **Vermes**: This group includes various invertebrates.

Legacy

The 10th edition of Systema Naturae has had a lasting impact on the field of biology. It is often cited as the starting point for zoological nomenclature, and many of the names introduced by Linnaeus are still in use today. The work also inspired future generations of naturalists and taxonomists to explore and classify the natural world.

Also see

• Carl Linnaeus
• Binomial nomenclature
• Taxonomy (biology)
• History of biology
• Species

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