Taxonomy (or systematics) is the science of relating animals by grouping them according to similarities in their skeletal and other biological structures.Early 18th-century naturalist and anatomist Carolus Linnaeus created the binomial nomenclature system, whereby each species has a scientific (genus) and common (species) name. Within the system, animals are ranked by kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.
For example, the domestic dog is classified as an animalia (animal), chordata (vertebrate), mammalia (mammal), carnivora (meat-eater), Canidae (omnivores with specialized teeth and feet), Canis (dog or dog-like family), and familiaris (domestic dogs).Taxonomy begins with identifying major groupings of organisms that share broad similarities in structure. From these, subgroups are identified, with increasing bodily similarities. Subgroups are divided still further into smaller and smaller groups until, finally, a species member stands alone.Birding field guides are arranged by the sophistication of species' taxonomy. Guides begin with water birds and end with passerines, the perching species.
For example, the domestic dog is classified as an animalia (animal), chordata (vertebrate), mammalia (mammal), carnivora (meat-eater), Canidae (omnivores with specialized teeth and feet), Canis (dog or dog-like family), and familiaris (domestic dogs).Taxonomy begins with identifying major groupings of organisms that share broad similarities in structure. From these, subgroups are identified, with increasing bodily similarities. Subgroups are divided still further into smaller and smaller groups until, finally, a species member stands alone.Birding field guides are arranged by the sophistication of species' taxonomy. Guides begin with water birds and end with passerines, the perching species.
