Scientific classification

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Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorise extinct and living species of organisms. Scientific classification can also be called scientific taxonomy, but it is different than folk taxonomy, which is not scientific.

Modern classification has its root in the work of Carolus Linnaeus, who grouped species according to shared physical characteristics. These groupings have since been revised to improve consistency with the Darwinian principle of common descent. Molecular systematics, which uses DNA sequences as data, has driven many recent revisions and is likely to continue to do so. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy or biological systematics.

[change] Terminations of names

Taxa above the genus level are often given names based on the type genus, with a standard termination. The terminations used in forming these names depend on the kingdom, and sometimes the phylum and class, as set out in the table below.

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