Animal Classification Chart Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
Animal classification is the process of categorizing animals into different groups based on their characteristics. The classification system is hierarchical in nature, and the categories range from broader to more specific groups. The animal classification chart comprises seven levels, including Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species.
Kingdom
The Kingdom is the highest level of classification and is the most general category. All animals are classified into five different kingdoms, including Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, and Monera. The Animalia kingdom includes all animals, including humans, insects, birds, and fish.
Phylum
The Phylum level is the second-highest level of classification, and it consists of different groups of animals that share similar characteristics. There are over 30 different phyla of animals, including Chordata, Arthropoda, and Mollusca. The Chordata phylum includes animals with a notochord, such as humans, dogs, and cats.
Class
The Class level is the third level of classification and consists of animals that share similar characteristics within the same phylum. There are over 100 different classes of animals, including Mammalia, Reptilia, and Aves. The Mammalia class includes animals that produce milk to feed their young, such as cows and dolphins.
Order
The Order level is the fourth level of classification and consists of animals that share similar characteristics within the same class. There are over 500 different orders of animals, including Primates, Carnivora, and Rodentia. The Primates order includes animals with opposable thumbs, such as monkeys and humans.
Family
The Family level is the fifth level of classification and consists of animals that share similar characteristics within the same order. There are over 10,000 different families of animals, including Hominidae, Felidae, and Canidae. The Hominidae family includes animals that belong to the human family, such as gorillas and chimpanzees.
Genus
The Genus level is the sixth level of classification and consists of animals that share similar characteristics within the same family. There are over 250,000 different genera of animals, including Homo, Panthera, and Canis. The Homo genus includes humans and their extinct relatives, such as Homo erectus and Homo neanderthalensis.
Species
The Species level is the most specific level of classification and consists of animals that share similar characteristics within the same genus. There are over 1.5 million different species of animals, including Homo sapiens, Panthera leo, and Canis lupus. The Homo sapiens species includes modern humans.
Animal classification is an essential tool for scientists to study and understand the diversity of life on Earth. It allows them to organize animals into groups and study their characteristics, behavior, and evolution. Furthermore, it helps in identifying new species and preserving endangered animals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the animal classification chart is a hierarchical system that categorizes animals into different groups based on their similarities and differences. The chart comprises seven levels, including Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. The classification system is an essential tool for scientists to study and understand the diversity of life on Earth.