SYSTEMATICS

• Systematics is the identification, classification, and study of biodiversity and relationships of organisms, both past and present
• Systematics is similar to ecology as living organisms are dependent not just on other organisms, but also on the environment
• Systematics is an organized system of classification that all organisms follow
• Organization of species in a classification system
• Biotic and Abiotic factors interact with each other
• Abiotic factors, such as water and oxygen, should be available as living organisms require them to survive
• Carolus Linnaeus classification kingdoms:

  • Monera: 2 domains (bacteria, archaea - prokaryotic organisms)
  • Protista
  • Fungi
  • Plantae
  • Animalia
• 3 domains:

  • Bacteria
  • Archaea
  • Eukarya
• Order of hierarchy:

  • Domain
  • Kingdom
  • Phylum
  • Class
  • Order
  • Family
  • Genus
  • Species
• Theme of Systematics:

  • Taxonomy
  • Phylogeny
  • Process of Evolution
• Theme of Biology:

  • Evolution - adaptation
• Taxonomy:

  • Classification of life
  • Two major aspects: Identification and nomenclature
  • Ranking and grouping of species in a categorized system
  • Binomial Nomenclature (Genus name and Species Epithet)
  • Individuals > Taxon > Ranking
• Process of Evolution:

  • Popularized by Charles Darwin in his book "On the Origin of Species"
  • Sources of Variability
  • Organization of genetic variability in populations
  • Differentiation of populations
  • Reproductive isolation and the origin of species
  • Hybridization
  • Change in the gene pool
  • Required for the next generation and the whole species to survive if there is a change in the population
• Five fingers of Evolution:

  1. Pinky: Small or decrease of the population
  2. Ring finger: Non-random mating/reproduction
  3. Middle finger: Mutation
  4. Pointer finger: Movement of genetic program (gene flow)
  5. Thumb: Adaptation

  • All of these lead to macroevolution and microevolution
• Phylogeny:

  • Divergence and/or development of all groups
  • Mode
  • Time
  • Place
• Significance of Systematics:

  1. Inventory of organisms > ID and Naming
  2. Universal system of classification
  3. Demonstrate evolutionary implications of biodiversity
  4. Single Latin scientific name for organisms in the world
• Common Terms:

  1. Identification - assigning an existing name or group to an unknown individual
  2. Nomenclature - naming
  3. Keying - dichotomous key
  4. Taxon - individual
• Specimen Preservation:

  • Plants: Herbarium - Dried and pressed
  • Animal: Taxidermy
  • Alcohol and Formalin Method
• Collecting, handling, and preparation of plant samples:

  Herbarium:

  1. Collection of dried plants

  2. Books in library

  Basic info of Herbarium:

  • Specimen should be color brown or golden brown
  • Herbarium Paper or White cartolina
  • Specimen should be dried and pressed
  • Some plant species are too large to fit in the white cartolina, take only leaves or flowers
  • 16.5” x 11.5” inches

  What info is on the sheet:

  • A sample of the plants
  • Pressed and Dried
  • A packet for small plant parts
  • A label (lower right on the herbarium paper)
• Collecting Plant Specimens:

  1. Fertile Specimens (fruit, flower, mature spores)

  2. Ferns (fertile fronds)

  What to collect:

  • Cut woody subjects that demonstrate branching pattern
  • Preserve the stem apex
  • Ensure branching pattern, avoid single leaf
• Animal Preservation techniques:

  1. Storing Technique/Insect mounting

  2. Soft-Bodied preservation

  3. Taxidermy

  4. Hard-Bodied preservation
• Storing Technique/Insect Mounting:

  Materials: killing jar, insect pin, spreading board, insect box.

  Most Insects except butterflies, moths, and dragonflies:

  • Kill in killing jar
  • Allow to dry
  • Pin abdomen

  Butterflies, moths, and dragonflies:

  • Kill in killing jar
  • Arrange and pin wings on spreading board
  • Pin abdomen
• Soft-bodied Preservation:

  Most invertebrates and vertebrates:

  • Kill and preserve in jars of formalin and alcohol solution

  Amount of Solution:

  A. 10% Formalin + syringe to inject formalin solution throughout body cavity

  B. 1st day: 10% formalin + inject, 2nd day - 95% alcohol

  C. 1st day: 50% alcohol, 2nd day - 70% alcohol, 3rd day - 90% alcohol
• Taxidermy:

  • Act of mounting dead animals for display
  • Skinning
  • Taxidermist - well trained + skills
• Evolution:

  • Darwinian Evolution/Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
  • Focuses on the elimination of inferior species gradually over time through Natural Selection
  • Natural Selection acts on Individuals
  • Populations Evolve
  • Genetic Variations Population
• Lamarck vs Darwin:

  Theory of Use and Disuse vs Theory of Natural Selection

  Acquired Transmission Variations vs Increasing Complexity

  Extinction vs No Extinction

  Heritability - Passed Down vs Heritability

  Selective Pressure vs Selective Pressure
• Microevolution vs Macroevolution:

  • Allele frequencies > population > Origin of taxonomic group
  • Time
  • Genetic Drift > Grand scale
• Notable Scientists:

  • Alfred Wegener - Continental Drift
  • Charles Darwin - Evolution