Chapter 17, Problem 6A

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Linnaeus’s system of classification was the first formal system of taxonomic organization. His method of naming organisms is called binomial nomenclature. Taxonomy is the study of identifying, naming and classifying species based on natural relationships. The taxonomic categories are part of a nested hierarchal system- each category is contained within another, as they are arranged from broadest to most specific.

Answer to Problem 6A

Correct answer:

The correct answer is option A. family

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer:

Option A. family − Domestic cat and coyote, both belong to the order Carnivora but the domestic cat belongs to the family Felidae and the coyote belong to the family Canidae. Since their families are different they diverge from family onwards.

Hence this is the correct option.

Explanation for incorrect answer:

Option B. class − Domestic cat and coyote, both belong to the same class Mammalia. The family of the domestic cat is Felidae and that of the coyote is Canidae. Since their classes are not different they do not diverge from class but from family.

Hence this is not the correct option.

Option C. order- The order of domestic cat and coyote is the same; that is Carnivora but their families are different. A domestic cat belongs to the family Felidae and a coyote belongs to the family Canidae. Since their order is the same they do not diverge from order but from family.

Hence this is not the correct option.

Option D. genus − Domestic cat and coyote, both belong to different genera but before genus, they belong to different families in the taxonomical hierarchy. A domestic cat belongs to the family Felidae and a coyote belongs to the family Canidae. Hence, they diverge from family onwards and not from the genus.

Hence, this is not the correct option.