Chapter 12, Problem 1ACQ

Figure 12.3 In what levels are cats and dogs considered to be part of the same group?

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The levels in which the cats and dogs are considered to be the part of same group.

Introduction:

The hierarchical system classifies the various species into the groups. Such system is also termed as the taxonomic classification, as each level as termed taxa here. Broadly the organism is classified in kingdom and domain. The genus and the species name are the most accurate classification.

Explanation of Solution

The scientific name of the cat is Felis catus which belongs to the family Felidae. They are domestic cats. The classification of the cat is as below:

Kingdom − Animalia (It is composed of multicellular eukaryotic animals.)

Phylum − Chordata (The organisms that contain notochord, dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, an endostyle, and a post-anal tail during any period of their life cycle.)

Class − Mammalia (The vertebrate animals compose this class.)

Order − Carnivora (It is composed of meat-eating animals.)

Suborder − Feliformia (It contains the cat-like carnivores.)

Family − Felidae (This family mainly consists of cats only.)

Subfamily − Felinae (This subfamily is comprised of small cats. These cats do not roar but are able to purr.)

The scientific name of the dog is Canis lupus familiaris. It is basically the domestic dog. The scientific classification of the dog is as follow:

Kingdom − Animalia

Phylum − Chordata

Class − Mammalia

Order − Carnivora

Family − Canidae (This family consists of domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals, and others.)

The cats and the dogs belong to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, and order Carnivora. This means that both dogs and cats are multicellular animals, that contained notochord and other differential structures during their lifetime. Moreover, they are vertebrate and are carnivorous animals.

Conclusion

The cats and the dogs are similar at the levels of kingdom, phylum, class, and order.