Question
Question: Match the columns. Common name | Generic names ---|--- A. Tortoise | I. Testudo B. Turtle...
Match the columns.
| Common name | Generic names |
|---|---|
| A. Tortoise | I. Testudo |
| B. Turtle | II. Chelonii |
| C. Soft-shelled turtle | III. Trionyx |
| D. Tuatara | IV. Sphenodon |
(a) A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
(b) A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV
(c) A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II
(d) A-III, B-II, C-I, D-IV
Solution
Hint Binomial nomenclature helps to provide the universally accepted scientific name to different species which represent by generic name and specific epithets. The name of a species depends on its characteristics features and the family of species in which it is present.
Complete answer:
Tortoise belongs to the class Reptilia, order Testudines, and family Testudinidae. The scientific name of the tortoise is Testudo graeca which was given by Linnaeus in 1758. Tortoise is shelled bodied animals found in both land and water. The unique feature of the tortoise is its pectoral and pelvic girdles which lie inside the rib cage.
Turtles belong to the class Reptilia, order Chelonii, and family Cheloniidae. Turtles are mostly aquatic and the Cheloniidae family represents sea turtles which consist of a cartilaginous shell over the body developed from the rib cage. Turtles are divided into 13 families and a number of species.
Soft-shelled turtles belong to the class Reptilia, order Testudines, and family Trionychidae. Soft-shelled turtles have a different number of the genus in which Trionyx are common. It has a soft shell due to the absence of horny scores with leathery sides.
Tuatara belongs to the class Reptilia, order Rhynchocephalia, family Sphenodontidae and genus Sphenodon. It consists of a spiny crest on the back with soft-bodied skin. It shows high similarity with reptiles like casting off the skin, shedding of the tail in case of danger, etc.
So, the correct answer is 'A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV'.
Note: Generic names represent more than one type of species but in some cases, it represents only single species and such types of generic names are called monotypic genus. Homo sapiens are the common example of a monotypic genus, other examples include Ailurus fulgens, Ginkgo, Rosa, etc.