what is a taxonomy

INTRODUCTION,

wedish scientist Augustin P. de Candole first used the term Taxonomy in his book Theories Elmentaire de la

Botanique in 1813. The term Taxonomy is derived fronm two latin words Taxis means arrangement and Nomos means law. Thus the term Taxonomy means rules or principles of arrangement or classfication. Carolus Linnaeus is regarded as the "Father of Taxonomy".

A taxonomic ranking always reflect the proper evolutionary relationships among the living organisms being classified. The morphological characteristics of the organisms, used for producing classification and for diagonstic purposes and those are still indispensable to the taxonomist. The terms taxonomy and systematics are after nela as synonymous forms but technically they have different meanings.

taxonomy

taxonomy definition

taxonomy classification

taxonomy order

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taxonomy chart

DEFINITION OF TAXONOMY AND SYSTEMATICS

Definition of Taxonomy () The branch of biology which deals with the scientific study of rules, principles and procedures of classification, nomenclature and identification is called Taxonomy.

(ai) It is the theoretical basis of classification including its principles, procedures and rules.-Simpson, 1961

(i) It is the theory and practice of classification.

Mayr, 1969.

Definifion of Systematics: The branch of biology that deals with the classification and nomenclature is known as systematics.

It is the scientific study of all kinds and diversity of organisms and all relationships among them. It covers the informative branch of taxonomy mainly concerned with the comparative and evolutionary relationship among organisms. The term systematics was coined by Linnaeus in 1735.

Relation between laxonomy and Systematics H. L. Manson (1950) treated taxonomy

road field which includes four main subjects-(1) systematics, (11) taxonomic system, (111) nomenclature and

V) documenta tion. It means that systematics is a part of taxonomy. According to H. J. Lam (1959) and W. B.

irill (1964), these two terms are synonymous.

Differences between Taxonomy and Systematics

Systematics

1. It includes identification, nomenclature, description classification.

Taxonomny

iption and

1. t includes identifcation, nomenclature and classification.

on.

2. t deals with the rules and principles of classification.

2. It brings out unique properties at every level of classificatio

APde-Candolle coined the term.

3. Carolus Linnaeus coined the term.

Components of Taxonomy: According to G. H. M. Lawrence (1955), taxonomy is a science which comprises

Or three main components. These are identification, nomenclature and classification of organisms.

oentinication It is "the determination of a taxon as being identical with or similar to another already known organism; the determina tion may or may not be arrived at by the aid of literature or by comparison with organism of known identity." Identification is carried out with the help of taxonomic keys.

taxonomic category with the

it as assigning an organism with its correct name and placing it in its proper help of its specific characteristics.

2 Nomenclature : It deals with the determination of the correct scientific name to a known plant or animal.

Nomenclature should follow international rules.

It is the application of distinctive names to each individual or each of the groups recognised in any given classification

3. Classification Arrangement of organisms into groups on the basis of their affinities or relationships is termed as classification. On the basis of the specific characters, organisms are divided among specific classification units like species, genus, family etc.

It is a sub-topic of taxonomy that deals with arranging of organisms into groups or categories accroding to a systematic plan on the basis of their similarities, differences and relationships.

ie bastS Ua their simin

laxonomy When only morphological characters are used for identification and classification of then it is called O-taxonomy.

Stages of laxonomy

plants

gical,

p-laxonomy In addition to morphological characters, it involves genetical, anatomical, cytolooieal tween

Palcontological, physiological and other characters. It also includes the atfinities and interrelationship betuwons

Separate group of species. It is also called biosystematics. The terms a and p taxonomy were given by Turil (1943).

3 Y-laxOnomy It is concerned with description, interrelationship and evolution of one species from the other 4. Umega laxonomy Analysis and synthesis of all information and types of data to develop classification system based on phylogenetic relationship are called omega taxonomy.

Differences between Classical Taxonomy and Modern Taxonomy

Classical TaxonomyY

Modern Taxonomy

1. Classical taxonomy is also called alpha (c) taxonomy.

1. Modern Taxonomy is also called omega taxonomy.

2 It is based on morphological characters only.

2. It is based on information from all aspects of study.

3. A species is considered as a fixed entity.

3. A species is believed to be dynamic entity and product of evolution

4. On the study of a few individuals description of a species is based

4. On the study of a large number of individuals description of a species is based.

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Importances of Taxonomy:

1. Diversity of Living World:Taxonomy indicates the diversity of living world, it is essential to make catalogur organisms with their correct 1dentification. It gives information about the specific habitat, habits, character affinities etc., of different organisms.

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A Unversdl system Taxonomy provides a universal system and helps in communication between DiolO8 3. EvOlutionary Relationships By knowing similarities and dissimilarities of various categories of organs along with the study of fossils, biologists are able to know the evolutiomary sequences or phylo8eny different kinds of organisms.

4. Other Biological Sciences It is essential for knowing organisms being used in the study of other bioIogica sciences like genetics, cytology, physiology, pathology etc.

S. Harmrul urganisms Taxonomy is useful in recognising harmful organisms, weeds, vectors, pests and pathogens

Control measures are not possible unless and until we are able to identify the vector, know its life history mode ot spreading the disease and vulnerable periods of its life cycle. Similarly, control of pathgen cann not be achieved without its identification and knowledge of its life cycle.

6. Medicinal Plants : Many medicines are ob tained from plants. Similarly a number of medicines are obtained from bacteria and fungi. A systematic knowledge is essential for their identification.

7. New Organisms Systematics helps us to identify the newly discovered organisms.

8. Breeding : All breeding programmes require the knowledge of different traits present in different varieties, subspecies and related species.

9. Indicator Organisms: Some organisms function as indicators of habitats, such as occurrence of clean or polluted water or air etc., eg., Colpidium of polluted water, Prosopis of ground water. Availability of coal and petroleum can be detected by the presence of certain fossils.

10. Forestry Forest management is possible only with the help of sound knowledge of taxonomy.

11. New Source of Food : Systematics helps in finding out new food resources, such as fishes, arthropods, moluscas, algae etc.

12. Conservation: Taxonomy helps us in the identification of useful wild organisms and thus in conservation of

natural resources.

B. Study of Ecology : It can be done only through sound knowledge of plant, animal and microbial taxonomy.

SPECIES CONCEPT

What is species and characterization of species are supported by different views. However, recently such a concept on species has been developed that is accepted by almost all biologists and this concept comes under DIO1OgTca species concept. At the early part of 18th century Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) proposed a clear concept orn species. He considered species as the unit of classification. Buffon (1707-1788) supported the ideas of Linnaeus.

But in the subsequent period sonme critics opined that species is the imaginary entity of man and there 1s no real existence of the species. The followers of such concept are known as Nominalist. According to them O the purpose of recognizing groups of organisms they are included in a species and named s0. However on the questhon of existence of a species there is no doubt at the present. However, on framing of the definition of the species there are different views. Among these the prominent ones are morphological species concept, biological species concept and evolutionary species concept.

Morphological Species Concept Linnaeus was the proposer of this species concept. According to this species concept, a species represents a group of organisms those are identical by morphological appearance and are distinctly separated from another group residing side by side. Though such concept on species appears to be true but it is faulty for many reasons. There are instances of the existence of such groups of organisms those appear to be morphologically similar but do not normally interbreed. Such groups of organism are considered as sibling species. Drosophila pseudo bs cura and Drosophila persimilis are two sibling species of Drosophila.

These two species though appear alike but failed to perform mating. Therefore, if speciepps is considered as unit of classification, the morphological species concept cannot give a justifed definition of species.

Biological Species Concept: As morphological species' concept appears faulty the biological species concept has been proposed as an alternative. Principally Mayr (1940) was the proposer of this species concept.

According to Mayr Species is a group of organism that is reproductively isolated from other such group.

However, Dobzhansky gave a definition of a species which states that species are the most inclusive Mendelian populations which share a common gene pool. However, the biological species concept takes a species as the dynamic entity and individuality of a species may be determined by the morphological features. The biological species are capable of inbreeding and contain simil lng said is a pecial

Species concept could be able to remove the to biolog ogical species concept the members of

es naturally show similarity within them.On this ground it may ho 5ehe 1deas of morphological species concept and it

ve the errors in morphological species concept 1n many respects. ACce

POol. Therefore, the members of a species a that biological species concept is established o modification of morphological species concept

Limitations of Biological Species Concept: Biological species concept is not solely error free. The or the extinct species the biological species cept is hardly aPplicable.

ere

are some limitations of it.

producing species this species concept is not applicable because there 1s no wav me

exchange of genes between two organisms.

5. Species residing in isolated geographical regions or the species at different time period of earth hardly com

pecies Concept Because of the limitations of biological species concept efforts were 5 te a species concept that may be applicable to al1 the cases. As a result of this, the evolutionary sConcept comes under this species concept. Evolutionarv species concept was proposed by Simpson in 196l and supported this view by Grant (1971). The definition of a species as per this concept may be given in the tolowing way An evolutionary species is a lineage evolving separately from other and with its own evolutionary role and enaencies. ln case of extinct species and asexually reproducing or sexually reproducing species the application of

OuOnay species concept is tenable. According to this species concept a species is a unit of evolution.

under the view point of biological species concept.

pecies and Its Polymorphic Variations Whatever be the definition of a species there are morphological varia tions within the members of a species. Primarily a species may be considered as monotypic

Or polytypic populations. But as per monotypic species concept this species should be considered as a single interbreedng population and there should be known multiple group within a species. As per polytypic species- concept there may be more than one separate populations and those remain distributed in different geographica

Zones. Such species groups remaining in different geographical areas may exhibit some morphological dissimilaritie but can inter breed are called polytypic species, e.g., various species of North American sparrows have bee united with the multiple geopraphical races. Such species groups come under subspecies or race. In case of mar animals existence of sub species or race may be noticed.

Sub-species

Deinition : The population groups those are phenotvpically dissimilar but not isolated reproductively are called subspecies.

ousiy subspecies was considered as varietv, Subspecies becomes the principal subdivisions of a species c Lrus may again be the complex of manv local populations. As the members of subspecies are reproductively ey nmay easily be identified generally as the subspecies populations reside at different geographical areas.

tne geographical areas come under the perimeter of distribution of a species. Each subspecies may be named rOlowing certain rule and in that case the principle of trinomial nomenclature is adopted. Presently the subspecies n which the human belongs is Homo sapiens sapiens. The one subspecies of lion is Panthera leo persica. As the

Subspecies reside at different geographical areas they are also considered as ge0graphic race.

eSometimes within several local populations a continuous variation may be noted. Such variable population capable of interbreeding is known as Cline. The varia tions as observed in the clines are considered as the effect or geographic and ecological influence. Therefore, clines are the further subdivisions of a species.

Deme: Any local population capable of interbreeding is known as deme. The members belonging to a deme can exchange their genic property. Therefore, they are share-holder of the same gene pool and they may be considered as the smallest species popula tion. A deme may also be taken as partly isolated group.

Sibling Species

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Definition : Morphologically similar two groups of organisms exhibiting reproductive isolation is known as sibling species.

sIndividuals belonging to sibling species are usually sympatric. According to morphological species concept, sibling species comes under same species. Therefore, existence of sibling species is supportive to biological species

Species of Anopl

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Des

TAXONOMIC HIERARCHHY

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1axonomic hierarchy (Gk, Hierarches= rank) is the sequence of arrangement of taxonomic Catego descending order during the classification of an organism. The main aim of taxonomic study 1s to assi8 alt Organism in an appropriate place in a systematic framework of classification. This framework 1s Cale taxonomic hierarchy.

Detinihion The systematic framework of classification in which taxonomic groups are arranged in definite order, from higner to lower categories is called Hierarchy.

Each category 1s considered as taxonomic unit and represents a taxon (Pl. taxa). The taxonomic hierarchy Was first established by Linnaeus (1758) in animal kingdom in the 10th edition of the book "Systema Naturae, and is therefore, also called Linnaean hierarchy. The categories used in the classification of animals are Kingdom,

Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species. However in the case of plants, division is used as a category in place of phylum. These seven categories are called obligate categories. These are as follows-

Kingdom

Phylum/Division

Class

Order

fnseolavlals

Family

Genus

Species

These seven obligate categories have further been split into super or sub-categories to indicate the taxonomic position of a species with more precision. So the present categories are

Kingdom

Sub-kingdom

Provides option in comparative discussion among the different organisms to place them in appronris.

categories.

oriate

Categories of Linnean hierarchy

pecies: A group of similar character individuals which can interbreed among themselves but reproductivelu isolated

SOlated from others is known as a species, e.g., all the potato plants of the worlad are included under

Solanum tuberosum. Here the species is tuberosum.

Genus : A group of related but different species which bear some similar characters are included under a genus, e8 Ficus benghalensis (Banyan), Ficus elastica (Rubber), Ficus religiosa (Pipul) etc., are included under a genus Ficus.

. Famly This taxonomic category of one or more related genera have some common features which are different from those of genera of another family. Solanum, Petunia and Atropa belong to family Solanaceae,

Examples from amimals-Genera Panthera (Tiger, Lion, Leopard) and Felis are included under the family

Felidae.

4. Order: This taxonomic category includes one or more related families with some common features, eg

Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae families belong to order polymoniales. In animals-the families like Felidae and Canidae are included under the order Carnivora.

5. Class: This taxonomic category contains one of more related orders, e.g., class Dicotyledoneae contains orders like Rosales, Malvales, Ranales etc. In animals-Class Mammalia includes orders Primata (monkey, gorilla and gibbon) and Carnivora (tiger, cat, dog etc.).

6. Division: This category contains some common features of class are included to a higher category which

is called Division in plants and Phylum in amimals, eg, the Division Spermatophyta in plants has seven classes of Gymnosperms and two classes of Angiosperms. In animals-classes Pisces, Amphibians, Reptiles,

Birds and mammals are included under the Phylum chordata.

7. Kingdom : It is the highest taxonomic category. All the divisions of plants are included under Plant Kingdom or Plantae. All the phyla of animals are included under the Kingdom Animalia.

The taxonomic categories of mango plant and guineapig is mentioned below

Mange plant

Guinegpig

The taxon

Mango plant

Plant kingdom/ Plantae

Kingdom

Division

Angiospermae

Class

Dicotyledons

Sapindales

Order

Family

Anacardiaceae

Genus

Mangifera

Species

indica

Wheat

Kingdom

Plant kingdom/ Plantae

Division

Angiospermae

Class

Monocotyledonae

Order

Poales

Family

Poaceae

Genus

Triticum

Species

aestivum

Guineapig

Animalia

Kingdom

Chordata

Phylum

Vertebrata

Subphylum

Mammalia

Class

Rodentia

Order

Cavidae

Family

Cavia

Genus

Species

porcellus

Man

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

ois:o Primata

Family

Hominidae

Genus

n :Homo

Species

Sapiens

TAXONOMIC KEY

A taxonomic key is a method used to classify and identify objects and organisms. A taxonomic key gives users a systematic and reproducible way to identify items and organisms. It is used for a variety of purposes, such as identifying unknown organisms to a certain taxonomic level (e.g., family, genus and species)

In taxonomic key (a) Constant characteristics rather than variable ones should be used.

(b) Proper measurements rather than terms like large and 'small' should be used.

(c) Characteristics that are generally available to the user of the key rather than seasonal characteristics or those seen only in the field should be used.

(d) A positive choice should be made. The term is' instead of 'is not' should be used.

Types ot Taxonomic keys

1. Dichotomous keys Keys in which the choices allow only two alternative couplets are known as di- chotomous keys. It is of two types

(a) Indented keys: Indents are choice of the couplet an equal distance from the left margin

(b) Bracketed keys : The choices of the couplet must be numbered.

2. Polyclave keys: It is the another type of key which is very ease to computerizing them.

BINOMIAL NOMENCLATURE

Definition In this system the plant and animal species is providing distinct and proper scientific name, using two words-first the generic name and second the species name.

seven

ptiles,

Binomial nomenclature is the scientific method of giving names to all the organisms so that they can be easily distinguished from one another. In 1753, Carolus Linnaeus proposed the Binomial System of Nomenclature for giving the scientific names of plants and animals. According to this system, each organism, whether plant or animal, bears two names-the first is generic name and second is the name of the species. For example, the scientific name of modern man is Homo sapiens, where Homo is the generic name and sapiens is the name of the species. The standard references recognised for binomial nomenclature are Species Plantarum (1753) and 10th edition of

Systema Naturae (1758). Early rules of nomenclature were set forth by

Linnaeus in his Critica botanica (1737) and in Philosophica botanica (1751).

gdom

Rules of Nomenclature Anyone can study, describe, identify and give

a name to an organism provided certain universal rules are followed. These rules are framed and standardised by International Code of Botanical Nomenclature dCBN) and International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). The codes are established and improved upon at International Botanical and Zoological congress held from time to time. Names of bacteria, viruses and cultivated plants are decided by International Code of Bacteriological Nomenclature (ICBacN),

International Code of Viral Nomenclature (ICVN) and International Code of

Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants (ICNCP).

Guidelines for Naming ot OrganiSms

Linnaeus

1. A scientific name consists of two words-first genus and second species. They should not have less than three letters and more than twelve letters.

2. The generic name is written first. Its first letter is always capital. The rest part is short.

3. No two plants or animal genera should have the same name.

4. The specific name is written after the generic name. It should be short, but can be compound, e.g., Hibiscus

rosa-sinensis.

5. The species name generally begins with a small letter.

6. The names are derived either from Latin language or are latinized.

7. The name of the Taxonomist who first described the name of the species, 1s added at the end, eg, Mas indica Linn.

Aangifera

8. Names given to plants or animals before the publication of Species Plantarum (1953) and 10th edite

Systema Naturae (1958) respectively are not accepted.

aition f

9. The scientific name is printed in italics. It is underlined in hand-written torm.

10. In case of new name and description, it should be published in a widely circulated scientific journal

11. The type specimen should be kept in a recognised herbarium.

12. In case, an organism has been given more than one name, the earlier legitimate one 1s recognised to be w (Law of Priority)

13. When the name of a species is revised the name of the original worker is retained in brackets. The name si the new worker is appended after the brackets, eg., Albizzia lebbeck (Linn.) Benth.

14. Naming of a family or subfamily may be on the basis of an important genus, eg., Family Asteraceae f genus Aster.

Trinomial Nomenclature: Modern scientists found it essential to recognise even the sub-species wihs the species. Thus, three words are used for naming the organisms. For example, the common lion is Paxthers leo. But lions of this species from different countries show minor differences from the original form. Thereire a third name is introduced for this. The scientific name of the Indian lion is designated as Panthera leo persis

Synonym: When two or more names are used to the same taxon (species or genus), it is known as synonym. cg

Thea chinensis (= Camellia sinensis). The earlier name is recognised as valid and the other name is called synonys

lautonym: When the same word is used to designate both genus and species, the name is called taudu eg Malus malus.

Homonym When two taxa (species or genus) have the same name, 1t case, the earlier name is legitimate and the later name is a later-homonym, eg, South Arican lmpatiens hunberg (1794) is later homonym of Impatiens capensis, Meerburg (1775). They are different species

Same name. Thunberg, therefore, is rejected and new name is given for that species 1mpatiens duthiqe

11.

eg Malus mals

capensis

with the

Oponym : A specimen plant or animal taken from an area regarded as the typical habitat, 1s termed as tom eg in Mangifera indica the mango tree is originated from India.

toponym

Suffix of group from genus to division: ICBN deduced the use of particular suffix for namine groups of classification from genus to division. These are as follows

aming th

Examples

Suffix

Unit of Classification

Genus

a, Us, um, on, es Rosa, Taxus, Triticum etc.

Rosoideae, Caesalpinioideae etc.

Subfamily

oideae

Rosaceae, Poaceae, Malvaceae etc.

ceae

Family

ales

eysol b Rosales, Malvales etc.

Order

opsida

Magnoliopsida, Lycopsida etc.

Class

phytina

Pterophytina

Subdivision

phyta

p Bryophyta, Pteridophyta etc.

Division

Advantages of Binomial Nomenclature

1. The names are of universal application for all the countries and the languages.

2. Each and every organism is provided with a definite scientific name irrespective of its importance.

3. The names are precise and easier to recollect. A wrong name can be easily corrected.

4. A newly discovered organism can be easily provided with a new scientific name.

5. A new scientific name is thought of on the basis of its characteristics or individuality or place

6. The names indicate relationship of a species with others present in the same genus.

7. The names of the families and subfamilies is generally based on the name of type genus.

HolotypeA particular specimen or illustration designated by the author to represent the type of a species. It is now essential to designate a holotype when publishing a new species.

Isotype It is believed to be a duplicate of the holotype, collected from the same place, same time and by the same person. eg, From several branches of a tree one become holotype and other treated as isotype

Neotype:It is a specimen selected to serve as nomenclatural type of taxon when all the original material is missing

Paratype It is a specimen cited with the original description other than the holotype or isotype.

Binomial Name of Some Common Plants:

Binomial Name of Some Common plants

1. Paddy

Oryza sativa

2. Wheat

Triticum aestivum

3 Maize

Zea mays

4. Palmyra palm

Borassus flabellifer

5. Jute

Corchorus olitorius

6. Coconut

Cocos nucifera

7. Mango

Mangifera indica

8. Peepal

Ficus religiosa

9. Banyan

Ficus benghalensis

10. Rubber

Ficus elastica

11. Banana

Musa paradisiaca

12. China-rose

Hibiscus rosa-sinen

13. Changeble-rose

Hibiscus mutabilis

Lotus

Nelumbo nucifera

15. Pea

Pisum sativum

16. Butterfly Pea

Clitoria ternatea

17. Tea

Camellia sinensis

18. Lemon

Citrus medica

19. Swamp tree (sesban)

Sesbania grandiflora

20. Malabar Nut (Basak)

Adhatoda vasica

21. Brinjal

Solanum melongena

22. Sensitive plant

Mimosa pudica

23 Mustard

Brassica campestris

24. Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

25. Sal

Shorea robusta

oorid

26. Papaya

Carica papaya

Binomial Name of Some Common Animals

1. Amoeba

Amoeba proteus

2. Entamoeba

Entamoeba histolytica

3. Monocystis

Monocystis bengalensis

4 Paramoecium

Paramoecium caudatum

5. Euglena

Euglena viridis

6. Sycon

Sycon gelatinosum

7. Liver worm

Fasciola hepatica

8. Tape worm

Taenia solium

9. Round worm

Ascaris lumbricoides

10. Earthworm

Pheretima posthuma

11. Leech

Hirudinaria granulosa

12. Cockroach

Periplaneta americana

13 Prawn

Macrobrachium rosenbergii

14. Achatina

Achatina fulica

15. Pila

Pila globosa

16. Unio

Unio marginalis

17. Amphioxus

Branchiostoma lanceolatum

18. Bhetki

Lates calcarifer

19. Rohu

Labeo rohita

20. Channa

Channa punctatus

Clarius batrachus

21. Magur

22. Shingi

Heteropneustes fossilis

23. Shark

Scoliodon sorrakowah

24. Toad

Duttaphrynus melanostictus

25. Rana

Rana tigrina

26. Lizard

Calotes versicolor

27. Household Lizard

Hemidactylus fluviviridis

28. Naja

Naja naja

29. Pigeon

Columba livia os

30. Guineapig 9

Cavia porcellus

31. Tiger

Panthera tigris

32. Lion

Panthera leo

33 Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

34. Man

Homo sapiens sapiens

TOOLS FOR STUDY OF TAXONOMY

In the identification or verification of a species, any documents either live specimens or preserved specimens which help in the study of biology, specially the taxonomy, i.e., are called taxonomic tools or aids.

Herbarium A herbarium is a depository of plant specimens in dry conditions, pressed and preserved on

sheets. The sheets are arranged in accordance with any accepted system of classification. Herbarium is useful for

people engaged in taxonomic studies.

Importance of herbarium:

1. It provides information about the local flora as well as flora of distant areas.

2. It offers facility for identification of plants.

3. It offers job and research facilities to the juniors, it also gives information on endangered species.

4. It provides information about the ecology of different places.

5. It helps to fulfill the public requirements by giving scientific information in respect of plants by organising exhibition, training courses etc.

6. Herbarium is used for maintaining type specimens of newly described taxa.

7. Herbarium assists the loan and exchange of plants for different purposes including research.

Important Herbaria and the number of specimen:

Name

Number of specimens

1.Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (London) (Largest herbarium)

6.5 million

2 Museum of Natural History (Paris)

over 6.0 million

3. Conservatoire at Jardin Botaniques de Geneve (Geneva)

over 5.0 million

4. V. L. Komarov Botanical Institute of Azerbaijan

4.0 million

5. New York Botanical Garden (New York)

4.0 million

6. Central National Herbarium (Indian Botanic Gardens) Shibpur, Kolkata, India.

2.5 million

7. Madras Herbarium, Coimbatore (MH), India.

1,50,000

8. Herbarium of National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India.

80,000

Botanical Gardens

Botanical Garden can be defined as a place to grow and maintain plants of different countries, according to their habitat and importance for the academic and economic benefit of mankind.

Now a days botanical gardens have green houses, rock gardens, palm houses, botanical ponds, laboratoriec library, museum and herbarium. The botanical gardens are mainly maintained by gOvernment and semigovernment agencies and private organisations. In a botanical garden exclusively growing trees and shrubs is called arboretum

The first botanical garden was developed by Theophrastus. Hanging gardens of Babylon were master pieces of ancient times. The first modern day botanical garden Orto, Botanical Garden of Padua (ltaly) was established

ding to

Botanical Gardens

in 1545.

Major Botanical Gardens There are more than 525 important botanical gardens in the world. Some major botanical gardens of the world are 1. Padua Botanic Garden, Italy (1545) 2. Pisa Botanic Garden, Italy (1543) 3. Leiden Botanic Garden, Netherlands (1594) 4. Main Botanical Garden, Moscow, Largest garden, spread over an

area of 900 acres.

5. Bundes Garden, Vienna. It is spread over an area of 400 acres.

b. Royal Botanical Garden, Kew (London). It is an area of 300 acres but grows a very large number of plants.

1. Indian Botanical Garden Shibpur, Kolkata. It is the largest botanical

Garden of Asia spread over an area of 273 acres.

8. Lloyd Botanical Garden, Darjeeling. ccupying an area of only 40

acred

9. National Botanical Garden, Lucknow (Sikander Bagh). It has an area of 70 acres. It grows a large number of diverse plants, palms, ferns, medicinal plants, Cacti and ornamental plants. It has laboratories of different fields of botanical research.

Importance of Botanical gardens

LA large number of botanical gardens have well maintained herbaria and libraries to facilitate research.

Botanical Garden with banyan tree

2 Botanical gardens play a key role in the conservation of endangered plant species and genetic diversity.

3. Since a wide range of plants are grown in botanical gardens, these provide ready material for biosystematic studies.

4. Botanical gardens play an important role in the ex-situ conservation of plant species.

5. Botanical gardens help in improving the environment, purify the air and serve as a habitat tor a large number

of animals.

b. A large number of people visit the botanical gardens to enjoy the beauty of various ornamentals and other types of plants.

1. Botanical gardens function as acclimatization centres for exotic plants of economic importance.

Zoological Parks: A zoo is a place where wild animals are kept in cages. The concept of zoo has

changed over the period of years. Instead of zoos, zoological parks are established. A zoological park is a park or garden or other area in which various living animals are kept for exhibition and study. In zoological parks high standard of care is observed and the animals live under more natural conditions. Zoological parks are also meant for breeding of rare fauna. They provide better recreation to the visitors.

Aims of zoological parks: The zoological parks have the following aims as regards the wild life.

1. To develop interest about wild animals in the public.

2 Zoos are involved in the conservation of many endangered species of wild life. To conserve the wild iire, special attention is being given to the protection of natural habitats and ecosystems and the captive Dreeang of wild animals.

The Captive Breeding Specialist Group (CBSC), of Survival Service Commission (SSC) of International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is closely associated with this programme

Care to Zoo Animals:

1. Proper food and scientific humane treatment tends to increase the life span of zoo animals.

The health of animals depend on four factors; enough food, fresh air, sun light and enough space tor their

movements.

3. Adequate arrangements for the treatment, medication, regular check up and pathological investigations are absolutely necessary to be made for the health and care of the animals. Animals should be regularly

vaccinated.

Successful growth of a zoological park can be estimated from the lower rate of mortality of animals, good breeding and good health of animals.

Central Zoo Authority: A Central Zoo Authority has been set up in our country to look after the

management of zoological parks. It coordinates and supervises the activities of the zoos and exchange of animals

on scientific basis.

Important Zoological Parks of India :

1. National Zoological Park, Mathura Road, New Delhi.

2 Mahendra Choudhury Zoological Park, Chhatbir, Punjab.

3. Kanpur Zoological Park, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

4. Zoological Garden, Bikaner, Rajsthan.

Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

7. Nandan Kanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa.

8. Kamala Nehru Zoological Garden, Kankaria, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

9. Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

10. Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

11. Zoological Garden, Alipore, Kolkata.

12. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, West Bengal.

Importance of Zoological Parks

L Zoological parks are the recreation centres for public, specially children for visiting wild animals. There ars children's park and restaurants where visitors can relax and have their meals or retreshments.

2 For the amusement of the visitors, zoological parks offer animal rides such as camel ride, pony ride and

elephant ride.

3. In large zoological parks, there are centres for research on nutritional requirements and breeding habis o animals. This is aimed at improving the lot of zoo animals.

4. Zoological gardens play important role in the ex-situ conservation of endangered animals

5. Zoological gardens are useful centres for studying live animal types by students.

6. Because of captive breeding, Californian Candor (Gymn0gyps californicans) and black footed ferrets (Mustll nigripes) have been saved from extinction.

MUseums Museum is an institution where artistic and educational materials are exhibited to the pubi

The materials available for observation and study are called a collection. A collection may include scien specimens, works of art and exhibits and information on history or technology.

Kinds of Museums 1 Art Museums Art museums preserve and exhibit paintings, sculpture and other workS of art.

2 History Museums History museunms illustrate the life and events of the past. Museums commen

Mahatma Gandhi are in New Delhi, Bombay and Ahmedabad.

3. Applied Science Museums These are also called science and technology museums. Ihey demonstrate scienHiG.

principles and show their application in tools, machinery and industriall proceses.

4. Natural Science Museums They exhibit displays of animals, fossils, plants, rocks and other objects and

nemorating

ntific

organisms found in nature.

Plant specimens which can not be kept in herbaria e.g., algae, fungi, mosses, ferns, parts of Gymnosperms, fruits, underground storage organs and other materials of interest are preserved in museums. Preservative solution consists of alcohol and formalin. Animals specimens like worms, insects, fishes, reptiles etc., can also be kept in preservation solution in jars. Insects can be dried out and mounted in boxes. Larger animals are preserved in stuffed and skeleton forms.

5. General Museums They exhibit materials from several fields of study

Important Museums of Natural Science 1. Natural History Museum, London.

2. United States National Museum, Washington.

3. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.

4. National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico city.

5. National Museum of Natural History, Paris.

6. Indian Museunm, Kolkata.

7. Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai.

8. National Museum of Natural History, Delhi.

9. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh (11) Museum, Jaipur.

10. Anthropological Museum, Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Importance of Museums

.The role of museums are similar to those of herbaria.

2. Standard museums have collections of plants and animals of various areas.

3. Museums provide information not only about the local fauna and flora but also of other areas.

4. They are used to deposit type specimen whenever new taxa are described.

5. They are important centres for taxonomic studies like important nunmbers of various taxa, their important

characteristics, study and identification of various organisms.

Objective Type Questions

A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)

1. Systematics is

(a) Nomenclature

(b) Relationships and classification

(d) all of them

2 The term taxonomy was coined by

(b) Pliny (d) De. Candolle

(a) Therophrastus

3. The book which has left the maximum influence on the thinking of taxonomist is

(b) Systema Naturae

(a) Origin of species c) Species Plantarum 4 New Systematics differs from Classical Systematics in

(d) Historia Plantarumn

employing

(a) Biochemical and Cytotaxonomy (b) All biological Parameters

Karyotaxonomy is a component of

(a) Numerical taxonomy

(b) Biochemical taxonomy

(d) Cytotaxonomy

6. The term taxon was given by

bespes

(b) Meyer (d) Lamarck

(a) Linnaeus

7. Father of Botany is

(a) Aristotle (c) Theophrastus

(b) Plato (d) Hippocrates

the

8. A genus with a single species is

(a) Typical (c) Polytypic

(b) Atypical (d) Monotypicet

9. Which is not a category?

(b) Genus d (d) Ecotype

(a) Order

10. ICZN was adopted in

(b) 1964 (d) 1960

(a) 1970

anatomical and reproductive chracters are placed together in

Several genera resembling one another in their major

(a) Family (c) Order

(b) Species (d) Genus

12. Who is father of taxonomy?

(a) Lamarck

(b) Parasara

(d) Linnaeus

13. Common names are

(a) Scientific (c) Universal

(b) Morphological (d) Non scientific

14. The category of family is between (a) Order and genus (c) Kingdom and class

(b) Genus and species (d) Phylum and genus

15. The lowest category in taxonomic hierarchy is

(a) class

(b) kingdom (d) phylum 16. Species belonging to different time periods are

(a) Synchronic species (c) Parapatric species

(b) Allopatric species (d) Allochronic species

17. Neosystematics is based on

(a) Cytology and biochemistry (b) Genetics (c) Morphology and anatomy (d) all of them

Chemotaxonomy is connected with the study of (a) Serum tests

(b) Metabolic pathways (d) Biochemicals

(CET chd 2000)

19. Taxon is

(a) Unit of classification

(b) Highest rank in classification (c) Group of closely related organisms (d) Species

20. Which of the following is less general in chracters as comn pared to genus? (a) Family (c) Division

(CBSE 01)

(b) Class

(d) Species

21. Descending arrangement of categories is called

(MHTCET 01)

(a) Key (c) Taxonomy

(b) Hierarchy (d)

Classification

22. The term new systematics was given by Julian in

Huxley (BV '02)

(b) 1840 (d) 1809

23.

Place of keeping and studying dry plants is (Wardha '03)

(a) Museum

(b) Vasculum (d) Arboretum

24. Who wrote 'Species Plantarum' and provided a basis for classification of plants?

(AIEEE '04)

(a) Robert Hooke (c) Linnaeus

(b) Leeuwenhoek

(d) Darwin

25. BNHS is abbreviation of (a) Bombay Natural History Society (b) Banaras Natural History Society (c) Biological Natural History Society (d) Botanical North Himalayan Survey ldentify from the following the only category that has real existence

(KCET 08

(a) Genus () Phylum

(b) Species (d) Kingdom

27. Which is different in different groups? (a) Family (c) Species

(WB 07)

(b) Plankton (d) Taxon

(DPMT 08)

28. Scala Naturae was written by (a) Aristotle (c) Whittaker

(b) Linnaeus (d) Darwin

29 The famous botanical garden of Kew is located in (AMU 09

(a) France (c) England

(b) Germany (d) India

(AFMC 09)

30. Related genera belong to same (a) Family (c) Variety

(b) Species (d) None of them

31. Lions are found in

(a) Madhya Pradesh (c) Western Ghats

(b) Corbett National Park (d) Gir Forest

32. Animals and Plants are best protected in (a) Botanical gardens (c) National Parks

(b) Zoos (d) Sanctuaries

33, Which of the following is endangered animals.

Langur (c) Lion tailed macaque

(b) Hanuman monkey (d) Antelope

34. Animal that has become extinct in India is

(a) Cheetah () Hippopotamus

(b) Wolf (d) Snow Leopard

(Delhi PMT 01)

35. Rajaji National Park is in (a) Assam (c) Uttaranchal

(b) Tamil Nadu (d) Karnataka

CBSE '05)

36. Botanical gardens provide

(a) reservoir for tropical plants (b) beautiful area for recreation

(d) ex-situ conservation of germplasm

37. National Botanical Institute in located in

(DPMT 07)

(a) Chennai (c) Lucknow

b) Kolkata (d) Mumbai

38. The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was first amended in

(DUMET 10)

(b) 1995 (d) 2007

39. Largest herbarium in India is located at

(Orissa '09)

(a) Lloyd Botanical Garden, Darjeeling (b) Indian Botanical Garden, Shibpur(c. )National Botanical Garden, Lucknow

(d).Forest Research Institute, Dehradun

(

40. Which one is exclusive characteristics of living beings?

(CBSE Main 11)

(a) Increase in mass both from outside and inside

(a) (b) Increase in mass from inside (c) Isolated metabolic reactions in vitro (d) Perception of events happening in environment and their memory

41. Taxon is the unit of

(JKCET 13)

(a) Taxonomy (c) Genus

(b) Order (d) Species

42. Which suffix is used in the name of family

(MPPMT 13)

(a) inae (c) aceae

43. The common character between Tamato and Potato will be maximum at the level of

(a) Division (c) Order

(b) Family (d) Genus

Which one of the following is not used for ex-situ plant (NEET, 13)

44.

conservation ?

(a)

Botanical gardens

(b) Field gene banks

(c)

Seed banks

(d)

Shifting cultivation

45. An example of ex-situ conservation is

(AIPMT 14)

(a) Sacred grove

(b) National park

(d) Wildlife sanctuary

46. Which one of the following is related to Ex-situ conserva-

tion of threatended animals and plants?

(NEET, 17)

(a)

Biodiversity hotspots

(b) Amazon rain forest (d) Wildlife safari parks

Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. Write the name of two important books published by Linnaeus.

Ans. Species Plantarum and 'Systema Naturae'

2. Write the full name of ICBN.

Ans. international code of Botanical Nomenclature.

3. What are polytypic genera?

Ans. lhe genera which have more than one species.

4. Who developed the binomial system of nomenclature?

Ans. Carolus Linnaeus.

What is Taxonomy?

Hns. 5Cience of classification of organisms.

6. What is phylogeny?

Ans. The evolutionary history of a particular group of organisms.

7. What is the basis of Linnaeus Systems of classification?

Ans. Morphology.

hoteeb

8. Which one has a real existence?

Ans. Species.

9. What is subspecies?

Ans. 1t is majOr distinct breeding group of a species having distinguishing morphological traits.

10. Define category?

Ans. 1t is a taxonomic rank of grouping of organisms, e.g., Phylum, Division, Family etc.

11. Why are scientific names of organisms derived from latin?

Ans. Latin 1s a dead language and it will not change in form or spelling in course of time.

12. Why are scientific names written in Italics?

Ans. To indicate their Latin origin.

13. Who made the earliest attempt to classify the living organisms?e e to etneeun

Ans. Aristotle.

14. Name the National Parks famous for rhinoceros and lion respectively.

2noitesu0 se

Ans.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam and Gir National Park.

15. Give one importance of herbarium.

Ans. If offers facility for identification of plants.

16. What is the family of Sunflower?

Ans. Compositae.

17. How many specimens are found in Paris Museum??

Ans. Over 6.0 million.

18. Write the name of one major Botanical Garden.

Ans. Pisa Botanic Garden, Italy (1543).

19.

Write one aim of Zoological Parks.

Ans. To develop interest about wild animals in the public.

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