Classification is the act of distributing things into classes or categories of the same type.

Aristotle was the first to form a useful form of classification in 300 B.C. His was organized on the organisms blood color. Then he later organized by physical characteristics.

As science advanced, a more modern form of classification developed

One founder of modern classification is

Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus. special features an organism had. naming.

He developed a system that organized by He also founded binomial nomenclature for

The modern classification system has become much more advanced. Classification makes everyday life easier by putting organisms in a useful system. Classification helps us to group the organisms we live with every day. Classification also lets us have a system for reference and will continue to help as we study the organisms around us.

*Cartilaginous- skeleton of cartilage *Aquatic- lives in water *scales/denticles- small flat plates that fit together to form skin covering (tooth shaped) *lateral line- sensory organs along side of fish to help navigate and sense other creatures *gill filaments-threadlike; part of gills that are filled with blood vessels; where they basically breathe *gill cover- bones (cartilage) of fishs head that cover gills

Is the body kite-like if viewed from top ?

No

Yes

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Is there a small dorsal fin present at the tip of the tail?

No

Yes

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This organism belongs to the family Rajidae. Rajidae.

If body is kitelike (viewed from top) click this button

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If pelvic fin is absent, click this button

If pelvic fin is present, click this button

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If six gill slits are present, click this button

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If only one dorsal fin, click this button

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If mouth is at the front of the snout rather on the underside of the head, click this button

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This is the whale shark. It belongs to family rhincodontidae. Like all sharks, the whale shark is cold-blooded. The whale shark can be 18 meters in length and exceed 10 tons! The whale shark mainly feeds on plankton, sardines, squid, and anchovies. It resides mostly in Western Australia. Whale sharks are often confused with whales because of their size and non-violent tendencies.

Does the body look kite-like if viewed from top?

No

Yes

Try again..

Pelvic fin absent or present?

Absent

Present

Try again..

This organism is in family pristiophoridae.

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If pelvic fin is absent, click this button

If pelvic fin is present, click this button

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If six gill slits are present, click this button

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This is the cow shark. It is part of the family Hexanchidae. Cow sharks can be about 3 to 4 meters long. They usually live deep down in warm, temperate seas. Cow sharks can have anywhere from 22 to 108 pups at a time!

Classification helps scientists characterize traits and specifics on organisms. We use classification to put all of earths known organisms into group and families. Dichotomous Keys help us to figure out what genus and species an animal falls under. For example, if a new organism was discovered, a scientist would go through a Dichotomous Key to try to find out the subjects kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.