BIO 001 Notes on Systematics and Ecology PDF

BIO 001 (For JUPEB)

Note by Dr. N. H. Chiaka-Onyemeze

1.0 Systematics: Taxonomy and Nomenclature

1.1 Taxonomy

Variation is the rule of nature. The interesting part of life is its rich diversity, and yet the uniqueness

of its components. Several species of living things (more than one million species of animals and

half a million of plants) have already been described and many more (about three to ten million)

which are yet to be described. Dealing with this host of living organisms would be very impossible

except if they are classified. Systematic biology, therefore, aims to order this diversity of living

organisms and to develop the methods and principles to make the task possible.

Definition of Taxonomy:

1. Taxonomy is the theory and practice of identifying plants and animals. grouping

individuals into species, arranging these species into larger groups and giving those groups

names, thereby producing a classification

2. It is a field of science that encompasses description, identification, naming and

classification of biological organisms

3. It is the analysis of an organism’s characteristics for the purpose of classification

Taxonomy is generally considered as a branch of science which deals with the identification,

description, naming and classification of organisms based on shared characteristics

i. Identification in taxonomy is the recognition of the identity or essential character

of an organism. It is often done using prepared descriptions of the characteristics of

similar species.

ii. Description in taxonomy is the preparation of detailed account of a newly

discovered species; and this is done usually in form a scientific paper. It is the process

of deciding whether or not two organisms are same. The purpose of description is to

give a clear account/report of the new organism and explain how it differs from species

which have been described previously or are related. Description often contains

photographs or other illustration

iii. Classification in taxonomy on the other hand is the process of assigning or

placement of like or similar organisms to recognizable groups. The ability to classify

organisms is our natural gift; and this is very important to the survival of the organisms.

The act of classification needs not be scientific; it may be artificial. Characteristics of

the anatomy, cytology, genetics and even ecology can help in classification. The

success of classification and naming has been possible due to the great diversity in

forms and structures of the organisms; and to the discontinuous variation existing

between them.

iv. Nomenclature/ naming of organisms. This in taxonomy is concerned with the

giving of a correct name to a known (identified) organism or taxon according to the

international rules for scientific nomenclature. For plant nomenclature, it is the

International Botanical Congress that approves or names them; for animals, it is the

International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature that does it; for bacterial

nomenclature it is done by the International Congress of Microbiology

The common method of naming an organism or species is giving it two names: 1)

the first name is the generic/genus name. It refers to the genus that the organism belongs

and 2) the specific/species name. Only the combination of these two names gives the

organism a personality or uniqueness. This system of assigning each organism with

two names is known as Binomial Nomenclature or Binomials. It was made popular by

the Swedish naturalist by name Carolius Linneaus (1707-1778). In this Binomials, the

names of the authority (one who identified and described the organism) is attached at

the end of the name.

1.2 Basis (Reasons/Importance) of Taxonomy

a. Organisms must be classified for effective study of them to be possible

b. It helps for easy reference to the organisms and transmission of information about

them

c. It helps to distinguish and group together organisms with similar characteristics

d. It helps to distinguish those organisms that are capable of causing harm or diseases

to man and other organisms in the environment

e. Classification facilitates and enhances scientific repeatability because of the large

size and great diversity of organisms

1.3 Rules of Nomenclature/Systematics

Systematics is taxonomy (description, identification, nomenclature and classification) with

respect to the organism’s phylogeny (i.e. ancestral origin). Systematic classification gives idea

about the origin and evolution of organisms from a complex and more advanced types.

Rules in nomenclature/systematics include:

i. In the taxonomic system for classification, organisms are assigned into different groups

based on their characteristics; and these groups are ranked, ordered or hierarchical. These

groups include

a. Domain (Prokaryota and Eukaryota; domain is the most recent)

b. Kingdom

c. Division/Phylum (Division is for plant; Phylum for animal)

d. Class

e. Order

f. Family

g. Genus

h. Species

ii. Since the system is hierarchical or ranked, it means that organisms belonging to a particular

rank or hierarchy belong to the same ranks above but not necessarily same ranks below. For

instance, all animals belonging to the Class Reptilia also belong to the Phylum Chordata but

not all animals that belong to the Class Reptilia should belong to the Order Squamata. iii. The

names in the ranks from domain to genus are treated as proper nouns; that is, they are started

with a capital letter, whether such name starts a sentence or occurs at the middle of it. Some

examples are given below

a. Prokaryota, Eukaryota NOT prokaryota or eukaryota (Domain)

b. Chlorophyta, Chordata NOT chlorophyta or chordata (Division/Phylum)

c. Chlorophyceae NOT chlorophyceae (Class)

d. Desmidiales NOT desmidiales (Order)

e. Chlorococcaceae NOT chlorococcaceae (Family)

f. Euglena and NOT euglena (Genus)

However, when these group names are used as adjectives (e.g. reptilian) or anglicized (i.e.

written as an English, e.g. chlorophyte(s), chordate(s), squamate(s)), the rule of capitalizing would

not hold except if they start a sentence. Again, it is also important to note that these groups names

are already in their plural form; so, they should take plural verbs; so it is wrong to again add the

plural marker onto them. See examples below for clarification

Chlorophyta are the green algae…CORRECT

Chlorophyta is green algae…WRONG (using singular verb for plural noun

“Chlorophyta”)

Chlorophytas are the green algae…WRONG (putting ‘s’ on an already plural form

‘Chlorophyta’) BUT chlorophytes are…, chlorophyte is… are both correct (English forms) iv. As

a rule of nomenclature/systematics the generic/genus and species ranks are special because these

two names are always written in italics (or underlined when written with hand); e.g. Homo sapiens

or Homo sapiens. Note that the species name started with small letter.

v. The generic names can be written or referred to alone in a sentence but not the

specific/species names; this is because the species names are commonly adjectives and so,

many other organisms that might not even relate can share common species name. For

examples terrestris, acidophila, aquatica, tropica, indica, nigre etc. Again, the genus names

can be abbreviated when written with the species names. E.g. M. indica signifying Mangifera

indica. However, it is more appropriate to have first written the name in full before

subsequently abbreviating it. It also makes no sense trying to abbreviate the genus name when

the species name is not written together with it.

Note that the rules for naming plant are completely independent with that for animals. That is,

names for higher taxa of plants (Division, Class, Order, Family) do not have the same endings

(suffix) as those for animals. Some name ending for plants and animals are written below

Hierarchy

Plant (suffix)

Animal (suffix)

Kingdom

Plantae

Animalia

Division/Phylum

-phyta

Class

-opsida (higher plants)

-phyceae (algae)

Order

-ales

Overview

BIO 001 Notes on Systematics and Ecology

BIO 001 focuses on systematics and ecology, covering taxonomy, nomenclature, and the classification of living organisms. It explores the importance of taxonomy in organizing biodiversity and understanding ecological relationships. Key concepts include biotic and abiotic components, ecosystems, and biological interactions. This resource is essential for students studying biology, particularly in preparation for exams or coursework in ecology and systematics. Key Points Explains the principles of taxonomy and its importance in biology Covers the classification of organisms based on shared characteristics Discusses the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in ecosystems Includes key concepts of ecological interactions such as mutualism and parasitism

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Figures

a. Picture of light meter Plate 1b. Picture of

FAQs

what is BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology about

BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology cover the classification and organization of living organisms, focusing on taxonomy and ecological interactions.

Systematics: The study of the diversity of life and the relationships among living organisms.
Taxonomy: The practice of identifying, naming, and classifying organisms.
Ecology: The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

what are the key concepts in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology

The key concepts in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology include taxonomy, ecological systems, and biological interactions.

Taxonomy: Involves identification, description, and classification of organisms.
Ecological Systems: Understanding ecosystems, including biotic and abiotic components.
Biological Interactions: Examines relationships such as mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.

how does taxonomy work in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology

Taxonomy in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology works by categorizing organisms based on shared characteristics.

Identification: Recognizing and naming organisms.
Description: Detailed accounts of species, often published in scientific papers.
Classification: Grouping organisms into hierarchical categories like domain, kingdom, and species.

what is the importance of ecology in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology

Ecology is crucial in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology as it helps understand the interactions between organisms and their environments.

Energy Flow: Describes how energy moves through ecosystems.
Nutrient Cycling: Highlights the recycling of nutrients among biotic and abiotic components.
Diversity Patterns: Studies the variety of life forms and their ecological roles.

what are the main components of an ecosystem in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology

The main components of an ecosystem in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology include biotic and abiotic factors.

Biotic Components: Living organisms such as producers, consumers, and decomposers.
Abiotic Components: Non-living elements like sunlight, temperature, and soil.

how do organisms interact in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology

Organisms interact in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology through various relationships that affect their survival.

Mutualism: Both species benefit from the interaction.
Commensalism: One species benefits while the other is unaffected.
Parasitism: One species benefits at the expense of the other.

what is binomial nomenclature in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology

Binomial nomenclature in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology is the system of naming organisms using two names.

Genus Name: The first part of the name, indicating the genus.
Species Name: The second part, indicating the specific species.
Example: Homo sapiens for humans.

what are the ecological pyramids in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology

Ecological pyramids in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology illustrate the distribution of energy and biomass in ecosystems.

Number Pyramid: Shows the number of organisms at each trophic level.
Biomass Pyramid: Represents the total mass of organisms at each level.
Energy Pyramid: Depicts the flow of energy through the ecosystem.

what are the methods of studying populations in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology

Methods of studying populations in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology include quadrat sampling and capture-mark-recapture.

Quadrat Sampling: Involves counting organisms in a defined area.
Capture-Mark-Recapture: Used for estimating wildlife populations by marking individuals and recapturing them.

what are the biogeochemical cycles in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology

Biogeochemical cycles in BIO 001 notes on systematics and ecology refer to the movement of nutrients through ecosystems.

Carbon Cycle: Involves the flow of carbon among the atmosphere, land, and oceans.
Nitrogen Cycle: Describes how nitrogen is converted and reused in the environment.
Water Cycle: Illustrates the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere.