Taxonomy - Classifying Life

Today, the Urban Naturalists learned how to classify species just like scientists do when they find a new species!

What's That Biofact?

First, we tested out our observation accuracy by using Mystery Object Containers. We had 3 containers, each holding a biofact from an animal. The Urban Naturalists each took a turn putting their hands in the boxes and wrote down observations they had simply using the sense of touch.

What could be in Mystery Container A?

We then compiled a list of observations. This is what the class came up with:

Container A: 

• Spikes on object - spikes are rounded and smooth
• Pointy 
• Hard
• Leg-like
• Finger-like 
• Claws or bones

Container B:

• Feels like a ripped up bag
• Very thin leather
• Shedding
• Fragile
• Smells fishy

Container C: 

• Soft
• Fluffy
• Feels like a stick
• Flower-like --> potentially a stem and fuzzies coming off the stem
• Sharp tip

Mystery Objects Revealed! 

Container A:  Snapping Turtle Foot

Container B: Snake skin shed

Container C: Feather

Top: Feather
Middle: Snake Skin Shed
Bottom: Snapping Turtle Foot

Classification

We then tried out a classifying activity. All groups were given the same number and type of foam objects and were asked to group them however the groups saw fit.

Hmmm...how to classify these...

Our results were as follows:

Group 1 classified their objects by "Flying" and "Non-Flying". They put the foam pieces of owls, butterflies and birds in one pile and all the flowers and bugs in another. They did this because its the least number of groups possible for this and each category had similarities.

Group 2 classified their objects into groups of organisms: Butterflies, Birds and Flowers. They said they did NOT worry about color or size, rather what fell into the categories of the same organisms.

Group 3 took all the foam pieces and divided them by two. They then took these two piles and paired up the objects. They said they did this because it created 8 even piles. This made distribution fair if they were to hand them out.

Learning About Classification

We decided to see how scientists classified animals. We came up with a list of questions scientists ask before classifying the animals they find.

We discovered that a scientists first question would be to consider whether their finding was a BIOTIC (living) or ABIOTIC (non-living) thing?

If it is living, then we need to consider whether it is a PLANT, ANIMAL or FUNGUS.

If it is an animal, we need to see if it is a VERTEBRATE (has a backbone) or an INVERTEBRATE (doesn't have a backbone)

Knowing these few characteristics already narrows down our findings enough to help us make some decisions on classifications!

Putting our Knowledge To The Test!

The Urban Naturalists then put their new knowledge to the test! They were presented 6 animals that are commonly found in the Narragansett Bay. The Urban Naturalists spent ten minutes putting them in groups. We then discussed the names of the different groups they were in!

Our Critters!

Hmmm....what groups are these guys in?

Checking out a pile of blue mussels

Sea Star Drawing

After deciding what groups these organisms would be in, Emily and April talked about the organisms and gave the Urban Naturalists a chance to touch them. Here is a list of what animals we explored:

Purple Sea Urchins and Sea Stars

Sea Star

Purple Sea Urchin

The Purple Sea Urchin and the Sea Star are both in the group Echinodermata. In Latin, Echino means "spiny or prickly". The word Dermata means "skin". Basically, this group has animals with Spiny Skin! 

Blue Mussels and Quahogs 

Blue Mussels

Quahogs

The Blue Mussels and Quahogs are not only both in the Mollusk group, but both are part of a class called Bivalvia. The word Bi means "two" and Valvae means "folding doors". This represents the two sides of the shell that close up to protect the clam inside.

Hermit Crab and Asian Shore Crab

Hermit Crab

Asian Shore Crab

Hermit Crabs and Asian Shore crabs are similar in quite a few ways. They are both a part of the Arthropod group - Arthro meaning "jointed" and poda meaning "feet or legs". Arthropods include insects too! They also both are a part of the group Malacostraca meaning "soft shell" and the group Decapoda, meaning "10 legs"! Who knew learning Latin words could tell us so much?

Emily lets one of our Urban Naturalists inspect
an Echinoderm with a magnifying lens

Game Time

Finally, we played a fun game of tag! Each Urban Naturalist was given an animal, except for one who was the "Hunter". The "Prey" were told to ONLY run across the playing field if their animal had the characteristic that was yelled out. Some statements included, "run across the field if you have a backbone" and "run across the field if you have scales". All the Urban Naturalist knew their animals very well! 

Check out these Animals!

Wipeout!

Run! Run! Run!