Binomial Nomenclature: - Genus + Species - Examples
Binomial Nomenclature: - Genus + Species - Examples
Binomial Nomenclature: - Genus + Species - Examples
• Genus + species
• Examples:
– Rana catesbeiana: bull frog
– Turdus migratorius: American robin
– Homo sapiens: modern human
– Mucsa domestica: house fly
• Subspecies sometimes included
– Gorilla gorilla beringei: mountain gorilla
Taxonomic Hierarchy
• Linnaeus classified organisms into
groups, based on shared characteristics.
• There were different levels of groups.
• Each level nests within the group above.
• In his system, the Kingdom was the most
inclusive. Successive groups contain
fewer and fewer organisms.
Linnaeus and Classification
• Carolus Linnaeus designed our hierarchical
classification scheme.
– Kingdom
– Phylum
– Class
– Order
– Family
– Genus
– Species
Linnean System of Classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Primates
Family Hominidae
Genus Gorilla
Species Gorilla gorilla
Revised Linnean System
Division Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Superclass Tetrapoda
Class Mammalia
Subclass Theria
Infraclass Eutheria
Order Primates
Superfamily Anthropoidea
Family Hominidae
Subfamily Ponginae
Genus Gorilla
Species Gorilla gorilla
Subspecies Gorilla gorilla beringei
Binomial Nomenclature
• Idea is that each species is assigned a
unique name
• Name has two parts: a genus name
and a specific epithet
• Together, the two words make up the
scientific name of the species
Binomial Nomenclature
• Allows clear communication between
different researchers
• Prevents confusion that can occur from
use of common names
Scientific Names: General Guidelines