Biosystematics and Taxonomy Quiz

Biosystematics

• Biosystematics is the modern science of classification
• Classification of organisms based on overall similarity
• Whittaker recommended 5 kingdoms
• Binomial system is based on 2 names (genus-species)
• Cladistics is a classification system
• Phenetics is a classification system

Taxonomy

• Taxonomy is the science of naming, defining, and classifying groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics.
• Nomenclature is the process of naming organisms.
• Stability and priority are important.
• Homonyms should be avoided.

Prokaryotes, Protozoa, and Helminths

• Kinetoplastida group includes Diplomonadida and Trichomonadida
• Important genus of haemosporinids is Plasmodium and Babesia
• Plasmodium and Babesia develop in blood-sucking arthropod vectors
• Coccidia, like Eimeria and Toxoplasma, are important parasitic protozoa
• Coccidia without cyst formation: Eimeria, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium
• Piroplasms: Babesia
  • Protozoa exhibit cyst formation in certain genera

Cnidaria

• Myxozoa are closely related to Cnidarians
• Anthozoa lack a medusa stage
• Cubozoa have an absent polyp stage
• Hydrozoa have budding of the polyp stage sometimes absent in some, while other times it is present
• Hydrozoa has both a polyp and medusa stage

Platyhelminthes

• Flatworms belong to the phylum Platyhelminthes
• Cestodes (tapeworms) have no gut
• Trematodes (flukes) have a two-branched (blind-ending) gut

Nematoda

• Nematodes are a phylum with about 200,000 described species.
• Nematodes significant from a veterinary point of view are around 20,000.

Annelida

• Lumbricus terrestris is in the subclass Oligochaeta, characterized by external fertilization
• Leeches (subclass Hirudinea) can have different types of feeding apparatus

Mollusca

• Cephalopods are considered the most intelligent invertebrate group.
• Sea-squirts (Urochordata) belong to the phylum Chordata

Chordata

• Hagfish belong to the class Myxini (craniata/Agnatha).
• Lampreys belong to class Agnatha/Cyclostomata .
• Actinopterygians (ray-finned fishes) have various body coverings (Non-cornified, horny scales, waterproofed).

Reproduction

• Number of ovaries in adult Taenia: two
• Nematode copulatory bursa: Strongylida, Adenophorea, Secernentea

Vertebrata

• The most ancient type of scales (characteristic of Chondrichthyes) are placoid scales.

Fish and Reptiles

• The approximate number of reptilian species is 6,400.
• Dermal scales are characteristic of reptile body covering
• Diapsid and anapsid skull types may be found in squamous reptiles.

Birds

• Avian species: approximately 9,700.
• Phasianus colchicus (pheasants) belongs to the order Galliformes
• Anas spp. are in the order Anseriformes

Mammals

• Mammalian species: approx. 5,000 to 7,000
• Order Chiroptera (bats) use echolocation
• Mammals have a double aortic arch
• Placental mammals have 2–22 teats, usually in two rows, in some cases in a circle.
• Order Perissodactyla: like the tapir
• Order Primates, includes species like humans
• Carnivores have carnassial teeth

Invertebrates

• Arachnids include ticks (Dermanyssus gallinae), pseudoscorpions and mites.
• Six-hooked oncosphere is the first stage larva in Cyclophyllidea and Pseudophyllidea

Arthropods

• Fleas, ticks, and lice are examples of blood-feeding arthropods
• The life cycle of fleas is egg-larva-pupa-adult

Insects

• Some insects undergo complete metamorphosis (egg-larva-pupa-adult), while others undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg-larva-nymph-adult)

Test your knowledge on biosystematics and taxonomy, the science of classifying living organisms. This quiz covers classification systems like cladistics and phenetics, as well as the study of prokaryotes, protozoa, and helminths. Engage with questions about the five kingdoms and important protists such as Plasmodium and Eimeria.