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Humans are excellent classifiers. Scientists classify organisms based upon features that are shared in common
with other related organisms. The formal process of classifying organisms is referred to as taxonomy.
Traditional taxonomy relies primarily on physical traits, so that organisms that look alike are placed in the same
group.
One traditional taxonomic system, called the Linnaean system of taxonomy, established the following
categories:
Critter 1 Critter 2
Domain Eukarya Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia Animalia
Phylum (Division) Chordata Arthropoda
Class Mammalia Insecta
Order Carnivora Hymenoptera
Family Felidae Formicidiae
Genus Felis Solenopsis
Specific Epithet domestica invicta
1. Can you tell what organisms are categorized here?
Classifying organisms based on shared evolutionary history attaches powerful information to a classification
scheme. While traditional taxonomy relied primarily on classifying organisms by their shared physical
characteristics (or morphology), technological advancements have allowed scientists to determine an organisms
evolutionary history more accurately. Taxonomy based on presumed evolutionary relationships is referred to as
phylogeny.
Usually, traditional taxonomic systems agree with phylogenetic systems when determining where organisms
should be classified. However, sometimes, striking conflicts can arise. For example, birds are traditionally
placed in their own class “Aves”. However, a wealth of research indicates that birds are actually living
dinosaurs, and are thus technically reptiles. For more information on this fascinating situation, see:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/avians.html
Part 1: Dichotomous Keys
A dichotomous key is an identification key that consists of a series of choices that ultimately lead to the
identification of the object in question. In each step of a dichotomous key, the user has two choices and must
pick the one that most correctly describes the object. Each choice leads to a new set of choices. To help you
understand how a key like this works, consider the following four insects:
Images accessed from http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/ on 6/12/14. All images in public domain (copyright expired due to age of
images).
After studying the insects, you might classify the insects by wing covering, body shape, and the direction in
which the wings point.
Biol 1: General Biology Summer 14 102 College of the Redwoods
To begin the key, you could start separating the four insects based on wing covering - “wings covered by
exoskeleton” vs. “wings not covered by exoskeleton.”
The first step in the key could be organized the following way:
1. a. wings covered by an exoskeleton………............go to step 2
b. wings not covered by an exoskeleton………......go to step 3
Step 2 consists of a pair of statements that distinguishes between the ladybug and the grasshopper.
2. a. body has a round shape ………...............................ladybug
b. body has an elongated shape …...............…….grasshopper
Step 3 consists of a pair of statements that distinguishes between the dragonfly and the housefly.
3. a. wings point out from the side of the body ……….dragonfly
b. wings point to the posterior of the body …….....….housefly
Notice that there were four organisms to be identified and it only took three steps to identify them. After making
a key, you should end up with one less step than the total number of organisms you are trying to identify.
2. Use someone else’s key to identify 2 specimens. List your path to identification here (letters are fine):
A. Specimen 1
B. Specimen 2
Now examine the cladogram at the bottom of this page illustrating the evolutionary relationships between a
hagfish, shark, bony fish, frog, rat, bird, and lizard.
Procedure
1. Name each organism on the cladogram.
2. Place a dot at every point that represents a common ancestor.
3. Indicate one shared derived characteristic that distinguishes each branch.
4. Who is more closely related: the shark and bony fish, or the bony fish and frog?
Warmup
1. Draw the simplest possible evolutionary tree that contains these 4 LIVING critters and these 3
FOSSIL critters.
2. Include at least one trait that distinguishes each living critter.
3. Use each fossil as an ANCESTOR.
4. Remember! Cladograms are hypotheses that must be tested! Your hypothesis might be different
from someone else’s!
Remember! Cladograms are hypotheses that must be tested! Your hypothesis might be different from someone
else’s. Be prepared to DEFEND your decision (with evidence) to someone who’s hypothesis is different.