Taxonomy is the science of classifying and naming living organisms. It organizes species into hierarchical categories based on shared characteristics, such as physical traits and genetic relationships. The main levels of taxonomy include domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. This system helps scientists communicate about different organisms and understand their relationships.
The practice of taxonomy dates back to the work of Carl Linnaeus, who developed a standardized naming system known as binomial nomenclature. In this system, each species is given a two-part name consisting of its genus and species identifiers. Taxonomy is essential for biodiversity studies, conservation efforts, and understanding ecosystems.