I.   Introductory provisions

Taxonomy, is the practice and systems of the classification of organisms. Taxonomy uses taxonomic units, known as taxa (singular taxon).

The word Taxonomy comes from two (2) ancient Greek words τάξις (taxis) meaning "arrangement" andνομία (nomia) meaning "method”. Hence Taxonomy literally means "the method of arrangement".

All Organisms on Earth may be defined according to a classification system known as Taxonomy. Taxa are ranked groups of organisms, which run from the general (domain) to the specific (species). A broad scheme of ranks in hierarchical order is Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus Species:

(i) Domain (also known as superregnum, superkingdom) is the highest taxonomic rank of organisms; and

(ii) Kingdom is the second highest taxonomical rank or highest rank, if life is identified by six (6) kingdoms (animalia, plantae, fungi, protista, archaea and bacteria); and

(iii) Phylum (also known as division) is the taxonomic rank below kingdom usually distinguishing organisms of the same kingdom according to essential groups of “body plans” as well as common internal architecture; and

(iv) Class is the taxonomic rank below Phylum distinguishing organisms of the same kingdom and phylum according to specialized reproduction, organs, body plans such as the class of Mammals belonging to the Phylum of Vertebrates.

(v) Order is the taxonomic rank below Class distinguishing organisms of the same kingdom, phylum and class according to more specialized attributes beyond simple reproduction, organs, body plans and considering specific genetic and architecture similarities such as the Order of Primates belonging to the Class of Mammals; and

(vi) Family is the taxonomic rank below Order distinguishing organisms of the same kingdom, phylum, class and order according to more refined characteristics such as body size and brain size, such as the family of hominids (great apes) belonging to the order of primates and the class of mammals; and

(vii) Genus is a taxonomic rank below Family distinguishing organisms of the same kingdom, phylum, class, order and family according to highly distinguished characteristics

(viii) Species is the basic unit of biological classification and taxonomical rank often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.