Animal Science and Management
Animal Classification
Scientific Classification:
developed by Carolus Linnaeus
binomial nomenclature = two names
groups organisms according to similar traits
allows exact identification anywhere in the world
Two Latin names used to identify each individual organism
Ex.) Genus species
Kingdoms: the highest level of classification (5)
A. Animalia: multicelled animals
B. Plantae: multicellular plants that produce chlorophyll and photosynthesize
C. Monera: bacteria and blue-green algae
D. Protista: paramecia and amoebae
E. Fungi:
mushrooms and other fungi
Phyla: divisions of kingdoms
 Animalia kingdom divided into 27 phyla
 Phyla sometimes divided into subphyla
 Most agricultural animals belong to phylum Chordata (notochord in embryo)
 Subphyla of phylum Chordata include subphylum Vertebrata (animals having
backbones)
Classes: divisions of phyla and subphyla
 Examples of classes in subphylum Vertebrata, include:

Amphibia: frogs, toads, salamanders

Reptilia: turtles, snakes, lizards

Aves: birds

Mammalia: animals that have hair, nurse their young, give live birth and
nurse young with milk

Osteichthyes: bony fish that live in water, have gills, fins, and are usually
covered with scales
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Orders: divisions of classes
 Class Mammalia contains 18 orders, including Primates and Artiodactyla
(even number of toes)
 Suborders of order Artiodactyla, include:

Suiformes: pigs and hippopotami

Tylopoda: camels and llamas

Ruminatia: deer, cattle, sheep, goats
 Horses belong to the order Perissodactyla (one toe or hoof) along with zebras
and rhinoceroses
Families: divisions of orders
 Suborder Ruminantia divided into five families, including:

Cervidae: deer, elk, moose

Antilopinae: antelopes

Tragulidae: certain goats

Giraffidae: giraffe

Bovidae: cattle, buffalo, sheep and domestic goats
 Sheep and goats, however, belong to subfamily Caprinus
Genus and species
 Genera: divisions of families
 Species: divisions of genera
Classification by Breeds
Breed:
animals with a common ancestry and common characteristics that
breed true (offspring will almost always look like parents)
 Divisions within species according to:
o Color patterns
o Size
o Horned or polled
o Country of origin
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 Purebred animals (ancestors are of only one breed)
 Crossbred animals developed from combining animals of different breeds,
sometimes different species
Classification according to Use
 Meat animals: pigs, some sheep, some chickens
 Work animals: donkeys, camels, oxen, horses, water buffaloes, and some
dogs

Dual-purpose animals: sheep, cows, and camels
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