Species and taxonomy

• Definition of a species


  - a group of similar organisms that can breed to make fertile offspring
• binomial system


  - a universal naming system

  - individuals are named after their genus and species

  - e.g. Homo sapiens
• Courtship behaviour


  - different sequences of behaviours that animals demonstrate to attract a mate

  - each species demonstrates its own unique behaviour

  - essential for successful mating
• Importance of courtship


  - helps to synchronise mating behaviour so that the animals are more likely to mate when the female is releasing eggs

  - increases the likelihood of successful mating

  - enables individuals to recognise members of the same species and opposite sex
• What is meant by a hierarchy?


  - smaller groups arranged within larger groups

  - there is also no overlap between groups
• Phylogenetics


  - the study of species' evolutionary origins and relationships
• Common ancestor


  - the species from which another species evolved
• Taxon


  - the term for each group in classification
• What are the taxa in the Linnaeus classification system?


  - domain

  - kingdom

  - phylum

  - class

  - order

  - family

  - genus

  - species