Systematics and Naming

Question 1

Systematics

Answer 1

The science that describes, classifies, and identifies evolutionary relationships of organisms.

Question 2

Taxonomy

Answer 2

Science that consists of identifying, naming, and classifying species.

Question 3

Phylogenetics

Answer 3

Evolutionary history of organisms.

Question 4

Classification

Answer 4

Hierarchical grouping of taxa into ranks that are more and more inclusive.

Question 5

Phylogenetic tree

Answer 5

Representation of genealogical relationships.

Question 6

Synapomorphy

Answer 6

Shared character that indicates a common evolutionary origin.

Question 7

Character

Answer 7

Any feature that varies among species and may be transmitted through evolution.

Question 8

Plesiomorphy

Answer 8

Ancestral character.

Question 9

Paraphyletic group

Answer 9

Taxon that includes an ancestor but not all its descendants.

Question 10

Polyphyletic group

Answer 10

Group that does not include the most recent common ancestor of all its members.

Question 11

Holotype

Answer 11

Specimen designated by author as nomenclatural type.

Question 12

Isotype

Answer 12

Duplicate of the holotype.

Question 13

Paratype

Answer 13

Specimens cited in original publication other than holotype/isotype.

Question 14

Lectotype

Answer 14

Specimen selected from original material to serve as type when do holotype was designated or it becomes missing.

Question 15

Neotype

Answer 15

Specimen selected to serve as the type specimen if the material on which the name of the taxon is based is missing.

Question 16

Diagnosis

Answer 16

Unique characters used to distinguish from similar taxa.

Question 17

Synonym

Answer 17

Rejected name due to misapplication or difference in taxonomic judgement.

Question 18

Basionym

Answer 18

Specific epithet that has priority and is retained when transferred to a different taxon.

Question 19

Homonym

Answer 19

One of multiple identical names based on different types, only one of which can be legitimate.

Question 20

Tautonym

Answer 20

Illegitimate binomial in which generic name and specific epithet are the same.

Question 21

Autonym

Answer 21

Automatically created name for infrageneric or infraspecifc taxa.