Version 1
: Received: 23 October 2024 / Approved: 24 October 2024 / Online: 24 October 2024 (10:27:08 CEST)
How to cite:
Montgomery, R. M. The Evolution of Zoological Classification: From Linnaean Taxonomy to an Ecological and Interactive Framework. Preprints2024, 2024101875. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.1875.v1
Montgomery, R. M. The Evolution of Zoological Classification: From Linnaean Taxonomy to an Ecological and Interactive Framework. Preprints 2024, 2024101875. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.1875.v1
Montgomery, R. M. The Evolution of Zoological Classification: From Linnaean Taxonomy to an Ecological and Interactive Framework. Preprints2024, 2024101875. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.1875.v1
APA Style
Montgomery, R. M. (2024). The Evolution of Zoological Classification: From Linnaean Taxonomy to an Ecological and Interactive Framework. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.1875.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Montgomery, R. M. 2024 "The Evolution of Zoological Classification: From Linnaean Taxonomy to an Ecological and Interactive Framework" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.1875.v1
Abstract
Since Carl Linnaeus introduced the binomial nomenclature system in the 18th century, zoological classification has experienced significant transformations. While Linnaeus’ taxonomy provided a foundational structure based on morphological traits, advancements in evolutionary theory, genetics, and molecular biology have revolutionized the way organisms are classified. This article traces the evolution of classification methods, from Linnaeus’ hierarchy to Darwin’s theory of evolution, and highlights modern phylogenetic techniques based on genetic data. However, the discussion also introduces the need for a reformulation of zoological classification to incorporate species interactions and ecological relationships, as proposed by Johann Friedrich Humboldt over 50 years before Darwin. Humboldt’s holistic view of nature, where species interact and co-evolve within ecosystems, offers valuable insights for understanding evolution as a collective process, shaping life on Earth as a unified organism. Embracing this perspective will help the next generation of scientists approach biodiversity and conservation with a deeper appreciation of species interdependence.
Keywords
Zoological classification; Carl Linnaeus; evolutionary theory; phylogenetics; species interaction; ecology; Johann Friedrich Humboldt; co-evolution; taxonomy reform; biodiversity
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
