Classification
Domain: Eukaryote
Classified in the domain Eukaryote since the species is a
multicellular organism whose cells contain a nucleus and various
other membrane bound organelles that allow it to carry out
complex functions such as cellular respiration. Some organisms
that are classified with the Rough-skinned newt in Eukaryote are
the
California Poppy,
and the
Ubiquitous Fungus.
Kingdom: Animali
Classified in the kingdom Animali since the species is an
organism that is motile and heterotrophic, meaning that the
Rough-skinned Newt is free moving under it's own will and is a consumer
primary food sources. As a heterotroph it cannot produce its own
food. A few other organisms that are classified in the kingdom
Animali are the
California Meadow Vole, the
Golden Eagle and the
Bombardier Beetle.
Phylum: Chordata
Classified in the phylum Chordata since the Rough-skinned
Newt develops
a backbone which can be described as a hollow dorsal nerve chord.
In addition to a backbone the Rough-skinned Newt also possesses
a tail both in its embryo, larval and adult stages.
Class: Amphibia
Classified in the class Amphibia since the Rough-skinned Newt
is a cold blooded vertebrate that hatches as an aquatic larvae
and undergoes a metamorphosis to reach its adult life stage. Are
also classfied as Amphibia for using eggs to protect developing
fetuses. Another species that is in the class Amphibia is the
Paficic Tree Frog.
Order: Caudata
Classified in the order Caudata since the Rough-skinned Newt possesses a
lizard-like appearance with a slim body and a short rounded nose
in comparison to a lizard which has a more pointed nose. The Caudata
also never have more than four
fingers or toes (Tree of Life web project 2004). Another
organism that is classified in the order Caudata is the
Western Fence Lizard.
Family: Salamandria
Classified in the family Salamandridae due to the lack of
costal grooves and the species appearance of rough skin (Tree of
Life web project 2004).
Genus: Taricha
Classified in the genus Taricha. This genus was
created for the four
different western Pacific newts one of which is the Taricha
granulosa. The other three are the Taricha torosa,
Taricha sierrae, and the Taricha rivularis (California Herps 2013).
The word Taricha can be translated from its Greek root
taricaos which means mummy or something that is preserved (Rough-skinned
Newt, Taricha granulosa 2013).
Species: Granulosa
Classified in the species granulosa due to its granular
looking and feeling skin (Willapa 2013). The word Granulosa
can be translated from its Latin root granulus which when
translated means a small grain. This is a reference to the
Rough-skinned Newt's granular skin (Learn That Word 2005,
Rough-skinned Newt, Taricha granulosa 2013).
In Figure 1. we can see the phylogenetic tree for entire
phylum of taxonomic group Chordata. You can see the the group
Amphibians in the lower right hand corner of the tree where the
species Taricha granulosa can be found.This tree shows
the close relations of other chordata to Taricha granulosa
based on morphalogical similarties. A few closely related groups
include the lungfish and the clade consisting of reptiles and
mammals.
In Figure 2. we can see the relationship between the groups
within the class Amphibia are shown. The Rough-skinnd newts are
found within the Salamanders. The closest related group in the
class to Taricha granulosa is the family Caecilian. Based on
morphalogical similarties between the two families.
