Martes pennanti

Classification 

Photo from Wikipedia Commons  

Common name

            American Marten

            King Fisher

Scientific Name

            Martes pennanti

 

 Domain          Eukarya

 Kingdom        Animalia

 Phylum          Chordata

     Subphyla:  Vertebrata

 Class             Mammalia

 Order             Carnivora

 Family            Mustelidae

 Genus            Martes

 Species          Martes pennanti

 

Kingdom: Animalia

            This kingdom is classified by many characteristics that differ from the other kingdoms. All animals or eukaryotic as they are in the domain Eukarya, most are multicellular and they are heterotrophic. Heterotrophic means that they are unable to produce their own food and must depend on other organisms to provide them with the nutrients they need to survive. All animals lack cell walls which gives them the ability to be motile. Most are motile at least in one stage of their life cycle.

            The kingdom of Animalia was first recognized by Aristotle. However, his system only divided the living world into two groups of classification: the nonmoving plants and the moving animals. This loose classification was later developed into a more defined group by Carolus Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy.

 

Phylum: Chordata

            The Chordata, a phylum within the kingdom Animalia, is a group that contains both vertebrates and invertebrates. Several characteristics that Chordates posses at some time during their life time include: a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal slits, an endostyle (the precursor to the thyroid gland) and a post-anal tail.

             

Class: Mammalia

            The Mammalia are vertebrate animals characterized by sweat glands, hair, three middle ear bones, and a neocortex. Most of the animals in the Mammalia class give birth to the to live offspring with the acceptation of the monotreme who lay eggs instead.

 

Order: Carnivora

            From the Latin words Caro “flesh” and vorare “to devour”, this order refers to any carnivores that are also mammalias. The term carnivores simply means to eat meat and there for it refers to any animal that eats meat. Animals in this order are properly called carnivorans. This order is adapted to being able to catch and eat their prey. They have developed teeth and claws that are specially formed to eat meat. Another characteristic that makes carnivorans great hunters is the fact that their eyes point forward and not to the side.

 

Family: Mustelidae

            Most notably recognized as the weasel family, most of the organisms in the family are small, with short legs and thick fur. Most are also solitary, are active during the night (nocturnal) and are active year-round.

 

Genus: Martes

            The genus Martes is given to all species that fit all of the above criteria.

 

Species: Martes pennanti

            The American Marten is a medium sized weasel that grows to weigh between 4-15 lbs. and 29-47 inches in length. The smaller sizes are because the females tend to be half of the size of the males. Their coats are a dark brown with black legs and tail.  

 

Supporting Website

Martes pennanti

Interesting Quotes About Martens:

 

“Never Look A Gift Marten In The Mouth”

“The Marten Is A Man’s Best Friend”