| The Linnaean System | ||
| Systematics | Kingdoms |
| Systematics | Taxonomy |
| Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species |
The highest ranking of organisms in the standard Linnaean system. The term is based on earlier medieval and alchemical ideas - e.g. "animal kingdom" "vegetable kingdom," "mineral kingdom". The original Plant - Animal Kingdom divide was replaced by the Five Kingdom model of Whittaker and Margulis. Modern research into micro-organisms however has shown that they are far more diverse than was previously thought, and the kingdom has been relegated to a relatively minor status vis a vis the Domain, the highest current taxonomic ranking. |