Final answer:
The classification of animals within the animal kingdom is based on various characteristics such as anatomy, embryological development, and genetics. Scientists use a taxonomy system to reflect the evolutionary history of species and identify common traits and differences. The taxonomic classification system helps scientists study and understand the diversity of living species.
Step-by-step explanation:
The classification of animals within the animal kingdom is based on their anatomy, features of embryological development, and genetic makeup. Scientists use a taxonomy system to reflect the evolutionary history of species. They identify common traits across all animals and traits that distinguish related groups of animals. The classification scheme is constantly changing as new information about species is learned.
Scientists traditionally classify animals based on two characteristics: body plan and developmental pathway. The body plan includes features like symmetry, while developmental characteristics include germ tissue layers, origin of the mouth and anus, presence of an internal body cavity, and others. These characteristics help classify animals and understand their evolutionary relationships.
There are different ways to define a species, such as behavior, genetics, and morphology. Common names are based on general physical characteristics, while scientific names are based on species definitions. One of the species definitions is the phylogenetic species definition, which identifies a species by a shared unique characteristic. Clades, represented by cladograms, show the evolutionary relationships among species.
The taxonomic classification system, developed by Carl Linnaeus, uses a hierarchical model starting with domains and ending with species. It groups organisms into categories like kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. The classification system helps scientists study and understand the diversity of living species.