STUDY AND CATALOGING SPECIES

For Valdemir Mota de Menezes

STUDY and cataloging species

 

INTRODUCTION

Monalisa Professor in Biological Sciences course in the Department of Zoology posed the following question in the forum:

"Why is it important to study and catalog these species?"

TAXONOMY

First we must remember that part of biology that classifies animals called TAXONOMY, word of Greek origin, moreover, the combination of two words: "Taxis" which means order, and the Greek word "nomos" meaning law. In the eighteenth century lived Carl von Linne, Swedish botanist and zoologist who created a classification system to group living things.

In the current naming classification, we have seven categories are: Kingdom, phylum, order, family, genus and species.

Living beings are considered the same species when they have similarities between themselves and are able to generate fertile children. This is the basis of the hierarchy of life.

Today there are about 1.7 million species cataloged, but it is estimated that there are on the planet over 5 million species, so most have not yet been classified.

EARTH, A WORLD UNKNOWN

Two reasons emerge for us to emphasize the need to continue cataloging living beings. First, because we need to sort them in order to study them, and secondly, in possession of the classification of living things, can preserve them.

Now in July 2012, the Official Hawaii News Now reported that millions of strange animals appeared suddenly on the island of Hawaii, many scholars have captured these animals that are being researched and cataloged, wildlife experts still argue about the origin of these animals and how they suddenly appeared on the island. Experts from the Waikiki Aquarium are eager to see these crabs grow to see how they will stay. Below is a photo of the animals found. The Waikiki Aquarium staff suspect they are the crab "7-11", but only when these animals become adults may conclude is that if this is the same species.

 

 

Crab "7-11" in adulthood, also known as "Spotted reef crab" (Photo: Wikimedia)

CONCLUSION

I conclude this reflection with the words of those who understand the subject:

"How can we talk about maintaining biodiversity if we do not know how many species exist?" (Scientist Edward O. Wilson)

SOURCES CONSULTED:

http://www.anbio.org.br/bio/biodiver_art101.htm

http://www.anda.jor.br/20/07/2012/milhoes-de-animais-misteriosos-aparecem-nas-margens-de-praia-do-havai

http://www.catalogandonaescola.com.br/2011/01/o-que-e-e-por-que-catalogar-as-especies.html