Biodiversity - Introduction

Diversity of Life

bios = life

diversitas = difference, diversity

Biodiversity is everywhere and there is an astonishing number of species.

taxonomy = classification of living organisms

systematics = understanding evolutionary history through phylogenetic trees

Carl Linne (Linnaeus, 1707-1778)

- Systemae Naturae (1758)

- Classification based on morphological traits.

Classifications are hierarchic:

• Domain
• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species

Charles Darwin is…