What is Taxonomy?

Taxonomy is an essential field that helps us understand the diverse species populating our planet. From animals and plants to fungi and bacteria, taxonomy provides the tools to classify and make sense of life’s many forms. If you’ve ever wondered how we fit into the grand scheme of things, this is where we explore it. Humans, often too eager to claim the top spot, are no exception; our classification places us firmly within the animal kingdom. 

We Are All Connected

Humans may like to think of ourselves as separate from the animal kingdom, but the truth is far humbling. Our DNA shares anywhere from 70% to 98% similarity with chimpanzees, and surprisingly, 60% with chickens. Even more shocking is that we share 50% of our DNA with mushrooms, making us closer to fungi than to plants. These connections stem from evolution, showing that all living organisms are intricately linked through shared biological processes. Yet, many still act as if we are above nature, exploiting animals and plants for our needs and modifying organisms through advanced technologies.

The Roots of Taxonomy  

Taxonomy is the scientific practice of naming and classifying organisms, grouping them based on shared characteristics. It’s not just about categorising life; it’s a tool that helps us understand how we, humans, relate to the wider natural world. The study of taxonomy traces back to Ancient Egypt, where people started to understand and categorise species. Fast forward to 1735 when Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, brought order to chaos with his two-part naming system. His contributions form the backbone of how we classify life today, and even though the technology has advanced, his basic system is still in use.

1500 BCE – Evidence in Egypt suggests that people understood the characteristics of different species and classified them 

384 – 322 BCE – Aristotle in Greece. Organisms first classified as either plants or animals. This developed with his students and beyond. 

This Aristotelian system didn’t go into details with plants or fungi due to not having microscopes. It was based on the idea of arranging organisms in a big chain of being. Philosophical thought began to enter this field of classification in medieval times. It was during the renaissance that this was challenged, during the Age of Enlightenment. This could be due to improvements in technology which allowed greater study using optical lenses. 

1583 CE – Andrea Cesalpino classified 1500 plant species in his writing De Plantis 

1682 CE – John Ray classified 18,000 plant species in his work 

1700 CE – Joseph Pitton de Tournefort classified 9,000 species in 698 genera. This influenced the ‘father of taxonomy’ Carl Linnaeus. 

1735 CE – Carl Linnaeus, the father of taxonomy, published his major works beginning the new era of taxonomy, through a structured system of classification. 

Carl Linnaeus – The Father of Taxonomy  

Born in 1707 in Sweden, Linnaeus revolutionised biology by formalising a system to classify species. Before his work, species names were long-winded. His binomial nomenclature, which assigns each species a Latin name with both genus and species, made life easier for scientists and even paved the way for modern genetics. By his twelfth edition, Linnaeus had classified over 12,000 species, including 7,700 plants and 4,400 animals. His structure remains in use today, albeit with a few additions and tweaks as we discover more about the world around us.

The Phylogenetic Tree: The Branches of Life

Today, classification is illustrated in the form of the phylogenetic tree, also known as the "tree of life." This tree maps the evolutionary relationships between different species. At the top, you’ll find the three main domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. From there, organisms are divided into kingdoms like Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia, with each kingdom branching into various phyla, classes, and orders. While Linnaeus’s system still serves as the foundation, the tree of life is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made, such as the growing understanding of molecular genetics.

Examples of different animals

Characteristics for Organising Species

Taxonomy isn’t just about what species look like – it's about how they function. Organisms are classified based on characteristics like their body plan, reproductive methods, energy extraction, and more. Even though we now have advanced genetic testing, the old methods still hold up surprisingly well. The body plan of an organism often reflects its evolutionary history, connecting even distantly related species. Despite improvements in technology, the core principles of taxonomy, established centuries ago, still stand firm.

Further Exploration

While we’ve barely scratched the surface of taxonomy, delving deeper into its fascinating world offers insights not only into our origins but also into the complex relationships between all species on Earth. Explore how taxonomy impacts agriculture, medicine, and even conservation efforts. By learning about other species, whether your pets, favourite foods, or rare plants, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world. It’s a journey from us to the far reaches of life, broadening our perspective in ways that are both humbling and inspiring.

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