The Classification of Animals

Classification

The standard classification system of biologists across the globe is called Binomial Nomenclature. It was developed by a Swedish naturalist named Carl Von Linne, who changed his name to Carolus Linnaeus. Binomial Nomenclature means two names in Latin. The way to write it is to first write the Genus, and then the Species. An example would be for the White Oak: Quercus alba, whereas the Red Oak would be classified as Quercus rubra. Because in both of the examples there is a Quercus, the two trees come from the same genus, but are not the same species. The First Name of Binomial Nomenclature is always capitalized, and represents the Genus. The Second Name of Binomial Nomenclature is never capitalized, and represents the species. Two animals of the same genus will have the same first name for its Binomial Nomenclature. The Binomial Nomenclature System is completely written in Latin. The Genus may be abbreviated, such as Q. alba. As binomial nomenclature is used for one level of specificity, the trinomial Nomenclature system is used for classifying more specific organisms (subspecies), such as the Northern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus) differs from the Southern Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus washingtoniensis).

This system is still used today because it provides a metaphorical bridge and a universal language of the biologists to easily distinguish the different species, without having to change the language. It also provides the 2 most specific layers of the classification period, so it will be the most specific, but concise form of classifying.       

Bibliography

[1]  "Animal Classification." A-z-animals.com. A-Z Animals, n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2015.

[2] Wille, Staffan M. "Classification by "natural Characters"" Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 07 Feb. 2015.