Chordates are animals that at some stage in their life cycle possess a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, gill slits, and a post‑anal tail. This phylum includes all vertebrates as well as two smaller groups: tunicates and lancelets. Chordates range from simple filter‑feeding marine animals to the most complex land vertebrates, including humans. Subdivision of … Continue reading "Phylum Chordata – Vertebrates & Relatives"
Read MoreCategory: Taxonomy
Superfamily Papilionoidea
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Arthropoda > Class: Insecta > Order: Lepidoptera > Superfamily: Papilionoidea Skippers(Hesperiidae) Gossamer-winged(Lycaenidae) Brush-footed(Nymphalidae) Swallowtails(Papilionidae) Whites & Sulphurs(Pieridae) Metalmarks(Riodinidae) Papilionoidea are the true butterflies. The skippers used to be in their own superfamily but are now usually included here. Many of the families have been further subdivided into subfamilies. Click the button … Continue reading "Superfamily Papilionoidea"
Read MoreKingdom Fungi
Fungi are widely distributed throughout our planet and are of great medical and environmental importance. The kingdom of Fungi include yeasts, rusts, smuts, mildews, moulds & mushrooms. Slime moulds, although often referred to as fungi, are in the kingdom Chromista. Classification of fungi below the level of the kingdom is controversial and there doesn’t seem … Continue reading "Kingdom Fungi"
Read MoreKingdom Plantae
Plants are primarily multicellular, predominantly photosynthetic organisms. Historically, many living organisms that were not classified as animals were grouped within the plant kingdom, although fungi and some algae are now placed in separate kingdoms Subdivision of the Kingdom Plants can be classified in a number of ways. Modern systems, including those used by platforms such … Continue reading "Kingdom Plantae"
Read MoreKingdom Animalia
Animals are multicellular, heterotrophic organisms (must eat organic material) that develop from embryos and show a wide range of body forms, behaviours, and ecological roles. The animal kingdom includes everything from simple sponges to complex vertebrates such as birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes. Historically, animals were often divided into “vertebrates” and “invertebrates”, but modern … Continue reading "Kingdom Animalia"
Read MoreClassification of birds
A comparison of different world lists I wanted to organise my bird photos and thought I would separate them into their families. With this in mind, I went to the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) website for a list of bird families. According to BTO, there are 9,845 living species of birds in 172 families … Continue reading "Classification of birds"
Read MoreClass Aves – Birds
Birds (Class Aves) are feathered, warm-blooded vertebrates that evolved from small theropod dinosaurs during the age of the dinosaurs. Modern birds are therefore the only living dinosaurs, with more than 11,000 species found across every continent and ocean. They occupy an extraordinary range of ecological roles — from ocean-wandering albatrosses and forest canopy specialists to desert runners … Continue reading "Class Aves – Birds"
Read MoreOrder Artiodactyla – Even-toed Ungulates and Cetaceans
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Mammalia > Order: Artiodactyla Artiodactyla is an order that includes the even‑toed hoofed mammals as well as whales and dolphins. Most terrestrial members walk on two main toes and are plant‑eaters with specialised digestive systems, while the cetaceans are fully aquatic and adapted for life in water. Modern … Continue reading "Order Artiodactyla – Even-toed Ungulates and Cetaceans"
Read MoreOrder Carnivora — Carnivores
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Mammalia > Order: Carnivora Carnivores are mammals adapted to feeding mainly on other animals, with strong jaws and specialised teeth for cutting meat. Many species are strictly carnivorous, while others are more omnivorous and will also eat fruit or other plant material. The order includes a wide range … Continue reading "Order Carnivora — Carnivores"
Read MoreOrder Odonata
Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Arthropoda > Class: Insecta > Order: Odonata Dragonflies and damselflies This order includes some of the oldest and largest flying invertebrates to have ever roamed the earth and the fossil record for most modern families dates back to the Jurassic or Cretaceous period. The name Odonata is derived from the Ancient … Continue reading "Order Odonata"
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