INTRODUCTION TO TAXONOMY

• Biodiversity


  Coined from the words, biological diversity
• Levels of biodiversity


  • Different kinds of organisms
  • Genetic information that organisms contain
  • Different kinds of places where organisms live and the interconnections that bind these organisms together
• Biodiversity


  • Includes the smallest and the simplest bacterium to the complex, bigger, brightly colored flower or fish
  • Found in every corner of the Earth
• Genetic diversity


  The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species, it ranges widely from the number of species to differences within species and can be attributed to the span of survival for a species
• Ecosystem diversity


  Deals with the variations in ecosystems within a geographical location and its overall impact on human existence and the environment
• Domain


  The largest category into which organisms are classified
• Back then, organisms were only grouped into eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Then scientists came up with the three-domain systems of classification.
• Kingdom


  The taxonomic rank after domain
• In the late 18th century, studies of organisms resulted in only two-kingdom classification system. But with the invention of the microscope and with more evidences gathered about different forms of life, various scientists have proposed three to four, then five, and later six or even eight-kingdom classification.
• Kingdoms in the Kingdom Plantae


  • Chlorophyta (green algae)
  • Bryophyta (mosses)
  • Pteridophyta (ferns)
  • Coniferophyta (conifers)
  • Magnoliophyta (flowering plants)
• Class


  A taxonomic group comprised of organisms that share a common attribute. It is further divided into one or more orders.
• For Class Mammalia is comprised of various orders such as Chiroptera (bats), Primates (apes)
• Order


  A taxonomic rank used in classifying organisms generally below the class and comprised of families sharing a set of similar nature of character.
• For instance, class mammalia includes order Chiroptera (bats) Order Primate (primates, and order Carnivora (meat eating mammals)
• Family


  A taxonomic group of one or more genera, especially sharing a common attribute. Organisms belonging to the same family would have evolved from the same ancestors and share relatively common characteristics.
• Species


  A group of organisms that can reproduce. This means that only members of an equivalent species can mate and produce fertile offspring.
• The dog, Waling-Waling (an orchid), Milkfish (local name, Bangus), rice plant, and humans are examples of species.