Home > Linnaean taxonomy
The Linnaean taxonomy is a system of classification widely used in the biological sciences. It was first developed by Carolus Linnaeus in the 18th century during the great expansion of natural history knowledge. Linnaean taxonomy classifies living things into a hierarchy, starting with domains or kingdoms. Kingdoms are divided into phyla (singular: phylum)—for animals; the term divisions is used for plants. Phyla are divided into classes, and they, in turn, into orders, families, genera (singular: genus), and species (singular: species). Groups of organisms at any of these ranks are called taxa (singular: taxon), or phyla, or taxonomic groups. A summary of this scheme, from most general to most specific, would be:
- Kingdom
- Phylum (or division)
- Class
- OrderOrder is one of the levels of scientific classification of organisms. Orders are grouped into classes and themselves contain families. The standard groupings of taxonomy from most general to most specific are: Domain Kingdom Phylum (animals); Division (pl
- SuborderIn biology, a suborder is a subdivision of an order. Scientific classification.
- SuperfamilyIn biology, a superfamily is a taxonomic grade intermediate between suborder and family. Plant superfamilies end with the suffix acea animal superfamilies end with oidea (although in older books the suffix acea is still used). Superfamily can also refer t
- FamilyIn biology, family is one of the levels of taxonomic classification of organisms. It lies between the less-specific order and the more-specific genus; ie, an order will contain one or more families, and a family will contain one or more genera. Humans, fo
- GenusSee genus (mathematics) for the use of the term in mathematics. See genus (music) for the use of the term in music. In biology, a genus (plural genera is a grouping in the classification of living organisms having one or more related and morphologically s
- SubgenusIn biology, a subgenus is a taxonomic grade intermediate between genus and species. The subgeneric name is generally shown in brackets, placed between the genus and species name. It can even be the same as the generic name. the Tiger Cowry of the Indo-Pac
- SpeciesThis article discusses biological species. Also see combinatorial species for the mathematical meaning of the term. Species is also a movie by Roger Donaldson. In English "species" is both singular and plural. The word " specie" is unrelated and is used t
1 Mnemonics
Mnemonics for remembering the major divisions of this list in order via common initials, include:
- Kids Playing with Cars On Freeways Get Squashed. (popular with HS Biology students)
- King Phillip called out for good soup.
- King Philip came over from Germany swimming.
- Kings play chess on fat green stools.
- Kings play cards on fairly good soft velvet. (with "v" standing for "variety")
- Kings possess crowns of fine gem stones.
- Kenneth, please close our front gate soon.
- Keep plates clean or family gets sick.
- Killing people causes outbursts from general society.
- Klingon phasers charge on fast gray ships.
