Taxonomy of Native Colorado Fish WebQuest
or Hooked on WeQuests—get it?
Introduction: There are an estimated 10 to 30 million different species on the Earth.
In Biology, organisms are named and classified using taxonomy. Biologists use
taxonomic systems to organize their knowledge of organisms. These systems attempt
to provide consistent ways to name and categorize organisms. Each organism has a
unique scientific name. Using a dichotomous key, scientists are able to identify
organisms.
There have been other naming systems, but not all were very specific. Today, the
system used is called binomial nomenclature.
Following this activity, you will be able to:
 Describe the history of classification and taxonomy.
 Know the seven levels of classification.
 Differentiate between a common name and a scientific name.
Task: You and your partner will utilize information found on the Internet to identify two
native Colorado fish as well as explore the history of classification and taxonomy and
answer the questions that follow. Your results from this quest will need to be presented
to the rest of the class in a PowerPoint presentation. Remember that in order to do well
with this task, you must answer all the questions and fulfill all the requirements.
Process:
Part A: The History of Classification and Taxonomy
1. Using the Linnaeus link, answer the following questions:
 Linnaeus did not go to college to become a taxonomist. What was he actually
studying? How did this lead him to his work in classification and taxonomy?
 Although Linnaeus gets credit for laying the foundation for taxonomy and
classification, he could not have been successful without the help of his students
and peers. How does this demonstrate the nature of scientific discovery?
 What was the title of the Linnaeus book on classification?
 Linnaeus focused on the classification of plants. What characteristic(s) did
Linnaeus use to classify plants? How does this compare to the characteristics
that are used today?
 Compare and contrast the classification system used by Linnaeus to the
classification system used by Linnaeus to the classification system that we use
now.
 Describe at least two problems that resulted from the naming system used prior
to Linnaeus.
 What do we mean by the term binomial nomenclature? Name at least one way
this is used outside of the field of taxonomy.
 Linnaeus’s work was published before Darwin developed his theory of natural
selection. How do you think Linnaeus may have contributed to Darwin’s idea that
species change over time due to pressure within their environment? Explain.
Part B: Fish Taxonomy
1. Out of the following list of fish native to Colorado, pick two. You may not pick one
that another group has already signed up for. The rule is; first come, first served.
Common names of native Colorado fish:
Colorado Pikeminnow
Humpback chub
Razorback sucker
Bonytail
Mottled Sculpin
Speckled Dace
Fathead Minnow
Black Bullhead
Common Shiner
Orangespotted Sunfish
Longnose Sucker
Creek Chub
Roundtail Chub
Bluehead Sucker
Mountain Whitefish
Flannelmouth Sucker
Rio Grand Sucker
River Carpsucker
Arkansas Darter
Black Bullhead
Plains Killifish
Red Shiner
Redbelly Dace
White Sucker
Orangethroat Darter
Green Sunfish
Cutthroat Trout
Johnny Darter
Channel Catfish
2. Using the resources listed or your own, answer the following questions/create the
following slides:
 On two separate slides, insert a picture of both your fish and include both its
common name and just for the “halibut”, add the species name. Get it?
 Show your fish’s taxonomy starting with its Kingdom and ending with species.
 Consider the following genus and species: Felis concolor and Felis leo. First
identify them on a slide with both their common and genus species names.
Include a picture for each. Answer the following questions.
 Why is Latin used in binomial nomenclature?
 What taxa always ends in ae?
 Of the two, genus and species, which one is often abbreviated and why?
 Show the taxa of a human being.
Conclusion: Now that you’re fin-ished (get it?) Here’s a rubric to use as a checklist
before you present your project:
Grading “Scales” get it?
Assignment
8 Slides to answer History of
Classification and Taxonomy
2 slides with fish pictures
Fish taxonomies (2)
Felis concolor vs. Felis leo
Why is Latin used in binomial
nomenclature
What taxa always ends in ae
Abbreviation explanation
Human being taxa
Total points possible
Points
Possible
40
20
10
10
10
5
5
7
107
Check when
done
Resources:
Linnaeus: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/linnaeus.html
How to make a dichotomous key:
http://nerds.unl.edu/Pages/preser/sec/skills/dkeys.html
Fish classification:
http://www.spart5.k12.sc.us/techtraining/teacher/webpages/SCFish/fish_classifica
tion.htm
Animal Classification: http://anthro.palomar.edu/animal/
To find information on your fish’s taxonomy, google your fish’s name and
taxonomy.
You may have to “fish”around a bit to find it, but trust us, it’s out there
somewhere.
I lobster but then I flounder. She’s a beauty!