Introduction

Question 1

What is systematics according to Mayr

Answer 1

The science of the diversity of organisms

Question 2

What is systematics according to Wheeler

Answer 2

Classification (“systemization”) and evolution

Question 3

What are the primary uses of systematics

Answer 3

communication and categorization (‘bins’)
–> systematics focuses on organizing and managing information about biodiversity through time and space

Question 4

What are the 4 missions of systematics

Answer 4

1. To discover and document past and present life on earth
2. To analyze and synthesize the information derived from this global discovery effort into a history of life and predictive classification
3. to understand the evolutionary mechanisms that explain the origin, maintenance and loss of biodiversity
4. To communicate and apply this knowledge to science and society

Question 5

Definition of Tree of life

Answer 5

The shared ancestry of all living things; an imaginary branching, tree like structure representing the evolutionary divergence of all living things

Question 6

Definition of taxonomy

Answer 6

naming and classification of different groups of organisms

Question 7

definition of nomenclature

Answer 7

the rules for naming organisms

Question 8

Definition of phylogenetics

Answer 8

reconstructing the tree of life

Question 9

Definition of classification

Answer 9

Appropriate hierarchical categorical arrangements of named groups of organisms, based usually on phylogeny

Question 10

Definition of biogeography

Answer 10

the global distribution of modern and past organisms and the history and causes of this distribution

Question 11

Definition of biodiversity

Answer 11

The number and variety of ecosystems, species, genes and biological molecules