Biology Taxonomy Overview

Taxonomy Overview

• Taxonomy is the scientific method of classifying organisms, encompassing a structured hierarchy.
• Engaging with taxonomy enhances understanding of biological diversity and relationships.

Hierarchical Structure of Taxonomy

• The order of taxonomy includes: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
• This system allows for organized classification and identification of living organisms.

Domain

• Highest taxonomic rank within the three-domain system established by Carl Woese.
• Domains categorize life forms into broad categories: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

Kingdom

• A crucial taxonomic category that groups organisms with fundamental characteristics.
• In the five-kingdom classification, kingdoms include Animalia (animals), Plantae (plants), Fungi (fungi), Protozoa, and the unspecific group of eukaryotic algae.

Phylum

• Taxonomic rank situated below kingdom and above class.
• In botany, "division" was traditionally used; however, “phylum” is now the accepted term since 1993 for the International Code of Nomenclature.

Class

• A taxonomic rank positioned between phylum and order in the biological hierarchy.
• Classes may have a sub-level, termed subclass, which indicates a further division.

Order

• Positioned between class and family in the taxonomy hierarchy.
• Can include superorder (above order) and suborder (below order) categorizations for finer classification.

Family

• One of the eight primary taxonomic ranks, found between order and genus.
• Families can be further divided into subfamilies, offering additional classification layers in biological taxonomy.

Genus

• Taxonomic rank that includes species sharing common characteristics, situated above species and below family.
• A genus can consist of multiple species, helping to identify relationships among similar organisms.

Species

• Fundamental unit of biological classification, representing individual, identifiable organisms capable of interbreeding.
• Abbreviated as “sp.” for singular and “spp.” for plural references within taxonomy.