Question

question 18 (multiple choice worth 4 points)
(05.04 mc)
according to the hierarchal classification of a select group of organisms given below, which two organisms are most closely related according to linnaean taxonomy and why?
image of a linnaean taxonomy chart for a group of organisms under kingdom animalia, phylum chordata, class mammalia, order carnivora, with families felidae, canidae, ursidae and their respective genera and species
options:

• canis familiaris and felis catus because they belong to the same class
• felis catus and panthera pardus because they belong to the same family
• panthera pardus and ursus horribilus because they belong to the same order
• ursus arctos and canis lupus because they belong to the same genus

Explanation:

To determine closely related organisms in Linnaean taxonomy, the more specific the shared taxonomic level, the closer the relationship.

• For "Canis familiaris and Felis catus": Same class (Mammalia) is broad; many organisms share a class, so not closest.
• For "Felis catus and Panthera pardus": Both are in the family Felidae (from the hierarchy: Felidae includes Felis and Panthera). Family is a more specific level than class, so sharing a family means closer relation.
• For "Panthera pardus and Ursus horribilus": Same order (Carnivora) is broader than family, so less close than sharing a family.
• For "Ursus arctos and Canis lupus": They are in different genera (Ursus vs. Canis), so this is incorrect.

So the correct pair is Felis catus and Panthera pardus as they share the same family (a more specific taxon than class or order, and the other option about genus is wrong).

Answer:

B. Felis catus and Panthera pardus because they belong to the same family