Vertebrate Zoology Study Guide
Vertebrate Zoology Study Guide
I. Taxonomy
1. Reasons for Taxonomy
a. means of providing a systematic framework with which to work when studying the varied life forms inhabiting this earth
b. establishes order from chaos
c. Provides a system of nomenclature with which you label items (organisms)
d. necessary when imagining trying to gather information on an unfamiliar organism
e. Meant to provide a useful, convenient system using all evolutionary, adaptational, and anatomical aspects to classify
2. Carl Linnaeus: Swedish Scientist (1707-1778)
a. first person to truly systemize taxonomy
b. identified 236 different animal species, although classification based largely on morphology (based on structure)
c. lead to “inspiring” the study of classification
3. Factors used in Classification
a. system=hierarchial
b. must be able to discriminate among different types of organisms, must provide the criteria for the discriminations, must have the capacity for grouping smaller taxa/ taxon in larger, more inclusive taxa ( a hierarchial position (s) within a taxonomy)
c. Artificial classification classes according to superficial resemblance (structure, color, habitat, etc. )
d. method used in zoology and biology is called natural classification
e. Law of priority ( after a species has been described, defined, and illustrated) : any identification of a previously named species takes second priority, even if the new name if “more correct”
f. rules/ factors based on Linnaeus’ Systema Naturae of 1758 (
*the factors and rules for nomenclature were established by the International Congress of Zoology in 1901 (the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature)*
II. Evolutionary Advancements
1. Multicellular condition
a. cell number distinction increasingly important over the last few years
b. Kingdom’s Protista and Monera mainly unicellular organisms
c. Unicellular and multicellular organisms employ different methods to carry out
I. Taxonomy
1. Reasons for Taxonomy
a. means of providing a systematic framework with which to work when studying the varied life forms inhabiting this earth
b. establishes order from chaos
c. Provides a system of nomenclature with which you label items (organisms)
d. necessary when imagining trying to gather information on an unfamiliar organism
e. Meant to provide a useful, convenient system using all evolutionary, adaptational, and anatomical aspects to classify
2. Carl Linnaeus: Swedish Scientist (1707-1778)
a. first person to truly systemize taxonomy
b. identified 236 different animal species, although classification based largely on morphology (based on structure)
c. lead to “inspiring” the study of classification
3. Factors used in Classification
a. system=hierarchial
b. must be able to discriminate among different types of organisms, must provide the criteria for the discriminations, must have the capacity for grouping smaller taxa/ taxon in larger, more inclusive taxa ( a hierarchial position (s) within a taxonomy)
c. Artificial classification classes according to superficial resemblance (structure, color, habitat, etc. )
d. method used in zoology and biology is called natural classification
e. Law of priority ( after a species has been described, defined, and illustrated) : any identification of a previously named species takes second priority, even if the new name if “more correct”
f. rules/ factors based on Linnaeus’ Systema Naturae of 1758 (
*the factors and rules for nomenclature were established by the International Congress of Zoology in 1901 (the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature)*
II. Evolutionary Advancements
1. Multicellular condition
a. cell number distinction increasingly important over the last few years
b. Kingdom’s Protista and Monera mainly unicellular organisms
c. Unicellular and multicellular organisms employ different methods to carry out