Chapter 2

Question 1

Define Taxonomy

Answer 1

The discovery, recognition, definition, and naming groups of organisms

Question 2

Define Systematics

Answer 2

The study of biological diversity, or, the ordering of the diversity of nature through construciton of a classification that can serve as a ‘general reference system’.

Question 3

what are the two final products of systematic research?

Answer 3

branching, classifications

Question 4

what is another word for ‘branching diagrams’

Answer 4

cladograms

Question 5

who provided a global estimate of known species in 1986, and what was the estimated number?

Answer 5

O.E. Wilson, 1.7 million

Question 6

approximately how many mammals are there?

Answer 6

5,000

Question 7

approximately how many birds are there?

Answer 7

8,600

Question 8

approximately how many reptiles are there?

Answer 8

8,000

Question 9

approximately how many amphibians are there?

Answer 9

4,700

Question 10

approximately how many fishes are there?

Answer 10

28,400

Question 11

what is a ‘junior synonym’?

Answer 11

a described species that has not yet been recognized by the scientific community because they are the same described species.

Question 12

what is the percentage of fishes that are fw? marine?

Answer 12

fw: 41 sw: 58

Question 13

What is a ‘catadromous’ fish?

Answer 13

lives in fresh waster, breeds in the ocean

Question 14

Name the five major groups of fishes that we will be studying this year

Answer 14

• the Myxini
• the Cephalaspidomorphi
• the Chondrichthyes
• the Actinopterygii
• the Sarcopterygii