Classification and variation

• Definition of Taxonomy is the study of principles behind classification.
• Definition of Classification is the organising of living organisms into groups their shared characteristics or similarities.
• Definition of Phylogeny is the evolutionary relationships between organisms.
• Variation between species is termed inter-specific variation
• Variation within species is termed intra-specific variation
• Continuous variation example: height
• Discontinuous variation example: eye color
• Adaptation involves selection pressure to produce the fittest, e.g., Xerophytes adapted to drought
• Convergent evolution is when different taxonomic groups arrive at the same/similar solution adapting to their environment
• Speciation is defined as "The production of a new species"
• Geographical isolation produces speciation known as Allopatric speciation
• Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar features in species of different periods or epochs in time
• Divergent evolution is the process by which interbreeding species diverged into two or more evolutionary groups
• Wallace & Darwin had similar ideas, arrived at independently, and presented/published together
• Evolution and natural selection are discussed
• Alfred Russel Wallace & Charles Darwin had similar ideas, but Darwin was the academic and Wallace was a "collector"
• Evidence from Molecular evidence shows common molecules like DNA, RNA, ATP in diverse living things
• Evidence from Palaeontology shows progression and features similar to living things
• Ecological conservation involves "keystone" species essential for maintaining biodiversity
• Biodiversity is discussed
• Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are a keystone species that feed on sea urchins to prevent overgrazing of sea kelp
• Collections and legislation related to conservation are mentioned
• The classification system is based on the evolutionary history of organisms.
• Classification helps us understand how species are related to one another, which can be useful for conservation efforts.
• Different groups have different characteristics that allow them to survive in their environment.
• Classification systems have been developed by humans, such as Linnaeus' binomial nomenclature.
• There are different levels of organization within biological systems, including genes, cells, tissues, organs, individuals, populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes, and biosphere.
• Species are groups of interbreeding or potentially interbreeding populations that share certain characteristics and have evolved separately from other similar groups.
• Species are groups of individuals that share similar traits and can interbreed with each other.
• Linnaeus used Latin names for plants and animals, with two parts - genus (capitalized) and specific epithet (lowercase).
• Species are classified into larger taxonomic categories called phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.
• Scientific names are unique and avoid confusion between similar-looking or sounding species.
• Populations are groups of individuals of the same species living together at the same time in the same place.
• Communities consist of all the interacting populations of plants and animals found in an area.
• Ecosystems include both abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) components and describe interactions between organisms and their physical environments.
• The concept of species is important because it allows scientists to classify organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary history.
• Linnaean taxonomy uses Latin names to identify organisms at the genus and species level.
• Taxonomy


  The study of principles behind classification
• Classification


  The organizing of living organisms into groups by their shared characteristics or similarities
• Taxonomic hierarchy

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