Taxonomy Intro Flashcards
Define Monophyletic
a group containing ALL species (or other level) from a common ancestor
Define Paraphyletic
a group contain species that all come from a common ancestor but not all it’s descendants are included
Define polyphyletic
a group containing species that do not come from a common ancestor
Biological species definition
actual or potential interbreeding between groups AND reproductive isolation from other groups
Morphological species definition
share sufficient morphological characteristics
When is a morphological species definition used
- it can be used in combination with other definitions, or
- if there is limited information on reproduction and genetics
Ecological species definition
member of the group occupy the same ecological niche (they are adapted to a particular set of resources)
Phylogenetic species definition
smallest group of organisms that can be traced back to a common ancestor
What are the 4 ways you can define a species
- Biological (breeding)
- Morphological (looks)
- Ecological (ecological niche)
- Phylogenetic (ancestry)
What is the order of the phylogenetic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
What are 3 ways you can group organisms to help identify using taxonomy (and what are the categories within the groups)
Number of cells: unicellular or multicellular
Method of nutrition: heterotrophic or autotrophic
Type of cells: eukaryotic or prokaryotic
What is a holotype
in a type series the holotype is the specimen that was used by the original describer in the description and naming of the species
What is a paratype
the paratypes are other specimens that represent the species (support the holotype)
what is a type series and what are 3 important types within one
a type series is a set of specimens that represent the description of a species:
- holotype
- paratype
neotype
what is a neotype
new type specimen when others are missing or destroyed
