There is variation within a species but obviously much more variation between different species. Think of the variation between dogs which are the same species. There are lots but then think of the variation between a dog and an elephant - lots more differences. Yes, I know it's obvious and probably a stupid example but it makes the point - I hope!
Variation makes it hard to classify animals and plants and to decide if they are different species. So, how do they do it? Well, if someone finds what they think is a new species, that is not enough to actually say that it is a new species. Say I found a new bat - I think I will call it Batty glover. Note, the Genus is Batty and the species is glover. This one bat may be just a one off hybrid so I would have to find some more. Then I could see if these new bats were different enough from other bats but themselves pretty similar to be called a new species. Guess there will not be a Batty glover yet!
Finally, all this classification stuff. Variation, Kingdoms and all that - what is the point? Why bother?
Is this just something to keep scientists in a job? Well no it isn't - honest it isn't.
It is important to classify organisms using the binomial system because it allows biologists to:
1) easily identify new and existing species.
2) see how organisms are related.
3) identify areas of greater and lesser biodiversity.
Typical teacher - explaining it nicely and then throws in a big new word. What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity is a measure of the total number of different species in an area.
What has that got to do with anything? Well, it's really very important. We get lots and lots of many different and important products like food and medicines from living things. The more species there are, the more things we have to discover new products. That sounds pretty selfish, we are just identifying them so we can use them. Probably true but on the positive side if we need them then there is more chance that we will look after them and conserve them. Biodiverse areas are more likely to recover quicker from a natural disaster like flood, drought or fire than a less diverse area because there are more species that could survive and breed. Many biologists also think that as countries and governments only spend so much on conservation that if they can identify areas where there is a large biodiversity - which they call a biodiversity hotspot - then governments could first of all concentrate on these areas because they could save a greater number of species. Pity we can't save them all though but it's down to time and money.
