Divide into research teams. You have been handed a bag of various fasteners (nails, staples, screws, etc.) As renowned taxonimists, you are to develop a classification scheme that meets the established rules of the Linnaean system. Be prepared to defend your classification scheme orally. You will also write a one page essay on your classification choices--what roles did form, function, derived characters, and ancestral traits play in your classification scheme?
Tasks:
1. Make a phylogenetic chart of your classification scheme (as shown on this handout) using the poster paper, tape, and objects. Include all of the categories from phylum to species. What rationale (s) did you use to for each category and what criteria did you use to differentiate among categories? Did you rely more on "form" or "function?" Or derived and ancestral traits? Provide descriptive names for each category from phylum, class, order, family, genus and species. Apply names that best describe each object and their heirachical location in your classification scheme.
2. What are some of the difficulties and differences between classifying inanimate objects and living organisms? Is it easier or more difficult to classify living or inanimate objects? Why? If you knew nothing about each object's function, would that have made a difference in your classification scheme?
3-Does your classification scheme reflect the evolutionary relationships and phylogeny among taxa? Who evolved from whom? Which "body type" do you consider to be the most primitive? The most advanced? Be sure to include evolutionary relationships in your essay.