Taxonomy and Classification

Study Notes

Classification involves a hierarchical system, where each step represents a rank or category, known as a taxonomic category.
All taxonomic categories together form a taxonomic hierarchy, essential for organizing biological classifications.
Each taxonomic category corresponds to a rank, referred to as a taxon (plural: taxa).
Insects serve as an example of a recognizable taxonomic group, identified by shared characteristics like three pairs of jointed legs.
Categories are defined as distinct biological entities, and taxonomic studies have established common categories: kingdom, phylum/division (for plants), class, order, family, genus, and species.
Species is the lowest taxonomic category for all organisms, representing a group of individuals with fundamental similarities.

A species consists of individual organisms that share morphological similarities and can be distinguished from closely related species.
The distinct morphological differences among species help in classification, allowing the identification of different taxonomy levels.
Examples of species include:
- Mangifera indica (mango)
- Solanum tuberosum (potato)
- Panthera leo (lion)
The genus name (Mangifera, Solanum, Panthera) represents a higher taxonomic category, with specific epithets (indica, tuberosum, leo) indicating particular species within that genus.
A genus may encompass multiple species that share common morphological traits, illustrated by Panthera containing both Panthera leo (lion) and Panthera tigris (tiger) as species.