Scientific_Taxonomy_and_Earth's_Biodiversity

Scientific Taxonomy and Earth’s Biodiversity Iris Lindor SCI 230 Week 7 This paper will describe eight species all in four different animal classifications: Mammals, Insects, Birds, and Echinoderms. All animals in each of these classification share common characteristics that place them in their classifications. Even though they may share the same classification they may not be in the same order. It’s the differences in these animals that place them in a different order in the same classification. In the Mammal classification there are about 5000 species placed in 26 orders. I have chosen to use the Bolivian Chinchilla Rat and the Impala. These two animals share three characteristics that place them under the classification of Mammal. They have 3 middle ear bones, hair and they have mammary glands. The Bolivian Chinchilla Rat and the Impala are very different in some very obvious ways. Their live spans are very different the Bolivian Chinchilla Rat has a live span of about 2 years, where the life span of an Impala is about 15 years. Their sizes are very different as well the Bolivian Chinchilla Rat weigh varies from about 225 grams (males) to about 300 grams (females). The average weight of the Impala is around 115.5 lb but can range from anywhere between 99lbs to 132lbs. The times of the year when these two animals mate is also very different, the Impalas will mate once a year during the months of March and May and will only produce one offspring. The Bolivian Chinchilla rat will mate in the months of January and February and can produce one or two offspring. These two animals fall under the same classification but not in the same orders. The Bolivian Chinchilla Rat falls under the order of Rodentia, they are placed in this order because [they have a single pair of incisors in each jaw and the incisors grow continually throughout their life. Rodents gnaw with their incisors by pushing the lower jaw forward and chew with the molars by pulling the lower jar backward] (University of California Museum of Paleontology, ). Two other species that belong to the Rodent order would be hamsters and guinea pigs. The Impala falls under the order of Artiodactyla. They are place under this order because the anterior part of the skull tends to be long and narrow and all Artiodactyls have a postorbital bar or process. Pigs and hippos are two more examples of mammals that belong to the Artiodactyla order. The two Insect that I have chosen to compare are the Short Horned Grasshopper and the Yellow Fever Mosquito. These two insects as well as all insects share the same body make up: head, thorax and abdomen that are protected by a hard external skeleton. They also have an abdomen divided into eleven segments. These two insects have many differences; the Short Horned Grasshopper has short, heavy antennae. [They are part of the Orthoptera order, as well as Crickets, and Katydids because of their hind long legs, modified for jumping, hind coxae small and well-separated and their hind tibiae with two dorsal rows of teeth] (Bug Guide, 2011). The Yellow Fever Mosquito falls under the order of Diptera, along with the dragonfly and the butterfly, because they fly. The mosquito is very different form the grasshopper because it does fly. The mosquito also spends its early days in water. Mosquitoes primarily feed on nectar and algae sucking it through a proboscis. Females are also blood drinkers they need supplements found in blood such as protein and iron so they can develop and lay their eggs. The Yellow -rumped Thornbill and the Cooper’s Hawk are the two birds I have chosen to compare. They share similarities such as they feathered, can fly and have horn like beaks and no teeth. The Yellow-rumped Thronbill falls under the order of Passeriformes as well as the sparrow and the Superb Lyrebird. This bird has a shot tail and long slender bill. They have a distinctive song like voice but also have the ability to mimic birds. The Cooper’s Hawk is in the order of Falconiformes. [The birds in this order have strong legs and feet with raptorial claws and an opposable hind claw, they are carnivorous, and hunt by sight during the day or at twilight] (Wikipedia, 2011). Also in theis order you will bind Falcons, Hobbies and Kestrels. The Crown of thorns Starfish and the Psolus Chitonoides are both examples of echinoderms. These animals are mainly a marine group and can be found in the oceans. The Crown of Thorns Starfish is in the order of Spinulosida. This is an order of sea stars. Also joining this order are the Cushion Sea Star and the Forbes Sea Star. They lack pedicellariae and have a delicate skeletal arrangement. The mouth of a starfish is located on the underside of the body; they lack a centralized brain but have a very complex nervous system. The starfish has a mesodermal endoskeleton that consist of small bony plates. The Psolus Chitonoide also known as the sea cucumber is in the order of Dendrochriotida also in this order are Thyonella and Cucumaria. The Race Rocks (2011) website [Like the sea stars it also has a spiny skin, but its body is oval and it has tentacles. At one end of the body there is a mouth and at the other end the anus], unlike the sea star that has its mouth on its underside. With the eight different species and four different classifications these species all have characteristics that classify them in the kingdom amimalia. All animals share common characteristics. Animals are eukaryotic and mostly multi cellular. They are heterotrophic, generally digesting food in an internal chamber and in most animals embryos pass through a blastula stage which is characteristic exclusive to animals. Humans are also classified as animals. Although every animal species may look and act differently we all have things in common that link up to our classification. References Bug Guide. (2011). Oder Orthoptera - Grasshoppes, Crickets, Katydids. Retrieved from http://bugguide.net/node/view/73 Race Rocks. (2011). Psolus Chitonoides The Race rocks Taxonomy. Retrieved from http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/eco/taxalab/ensy02/psolusc/nadegec.htm University of California Museum of Paleontology. (). Introduction to the Rodentia. Retrieved from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/rodentia/rodentia.html   Wikipedia. (2011). Falconiformes. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falconiformes