Taxonomy (biology)

Huang-Quan-Xie-sheng-zhen-qin-tu

Linné-Systema Naturae 1735

Spindle diagram

Cladogram vertebrata

Biological classification L Pengo vflip

Nepenthes smilesii type specimen

Taxonomy (biology) is the science of defining and naming groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics. Organisms are grouped into taxa (singular: taxon) and these groups are given a taxonomic rank. The principal ranks in modern biological classification are domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

History

The practice of taxonomy dates back to ancient times, but the modern system of taxonomy was developed by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century. Linnaeus introduced the system of binomial nomenclature, where each species is given a two-part name: the genus name and the species name.

Principles of Taxonomy

Taxonomy is based on several key principles:

• Hierarchical classification: Organisms are classified into a hierarchy of groups and subgroups.
• Binomial nomenclature: Each species is given a unique two-part name.
• Phylogenetics: The evolutionary relationships between organisms are considered in their classification.

Taxonomic Ranks

The main taxonomic ranks are:

• Domain
• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species

Modern Taxonomy

Modern taxonomy uses a variety of data sources, including morphology, genetics, and biochemistry, to classify organisms. The advent of molecular phylogenetics has revolutionized the field, allowing for more precise classifications based on genetic information.

Importance of Taxonomy

Taxonomy is crucial for the organization of biological knowledge. It allows scientists to communicate about organisms using a standardized system and provides insights into the evolutionary relationships between different species.

Related Pages

• Binomial nomenclature
• Phylogenetics
• Carl Linnaeus
• Molecular phylogenetics
• Hierarchical classification