Taxonomy/Kingdoms

Students examine images of a certain species of bat commonly found in Texas. Using the bat dichotomous key, they conclude that the bat species is a Mexican free-tailed bat due to its large, round ears.

Based on the dichotomous key, in addition to the shape of the bat’s ears, which other set of features should the students look for to confirm the identity of the bat?

• Solitary with a wingspan greater than 35 cm

• Solitary with a wingspan less than 35 cm

• Colonial with a wingspan less than 35 cm

Two organisms within the same genus can be organized into several related -

• kingdoms

• family

• species

A dichotomous key is provided to differentiate leaf structures based in physical characteristics.

Which of the leaves shown is most likely from a pecan tree?

• I

• II

• III

• IV

The organisms Felis catus and Felis silvestris do not belong to the same -

• class

• family

• genus

• species

Classification within the Protista kingdom is complicated because of its diversity and large number of organisms. The phyla within this kingdom are often organized into five informal groups, as shown in the diagram below.

You are asked to classify an organism that has the following characteristics: unicellular, primarily dwells in freshwater, have flagellum, contains chloroplasts, but can also feed as heterotrophs.

Which phyla does the organism most likely belong to?

• Apicomplexa

• Euglenophyta

• Myxomycota

• Actinopoda

The diagram shows a type of Venn diagram where subcategories are nested within bigger categories to which they belong.

What labels best describe the groups identified 1, 2, and 3?

• 
• 
• 

A frog that is native to the rainforests of Central America is a member of the genus agalychnis. This genus is part of the hylidae family, and this specific frog belongs to the species callidryas.

What is the scientific name for this frog?

• Agalychnis hylidae

• Hylidae agalychnis

• Agalychnis callidryas

• Callidryas agalychnis

At one time, many scientists considered the giant panda to be more closely related to the red panda and the raccoon due to appearance and some structural similarities. Both the giant panda and red panda have five toes and a “false” thumb on each paw that help them cling to bamboo. However, for the last 50 years, scientists include the giant panda with other bears in the family, Ursidae.

Why do taxonomists sometimes change the system of classification?

• Taxonomy organizes living things into similar groups making it easier to study them.

• New information regarding the structure, metabolism, and DNA of organisms is found.

• Classification assumes that species are distinct and unchanging.

• Use of common names to identify organisms can be confusing.

Two scientists want to compare their research of fireflies. Which information must the two scientists provide to each other to determine if they studied the same type of fireflies?

• Species name of the fireflies studied

• Color of light produced by the fireflies

• Type of habitat in which the fireflies live

The Linnaean taxonomic system classifies organisms into divisions called taxa. If two organisms belong to the same taxonomic group, they are related. Similarity at which of these levels indicates the closest relationship?

• Kingdom

• Class

• Order

• Species