Neuroscience and Karma

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 44

6
0. B. Classification according to Biology
In biology, the psychic order of existence on this earth is first divided into two kingdoms the animal kingdom and the plant kingdom. This, therefore, is the highest category and all animals are included in the animal kingdom and all plants in the plant kingdom. The biological classifications consist of a descending sequence of seven categories : (i) kingdom, (ii) phylum, (iii) class, (iv) order, (v) family, (vi) genus and (vii) species.
Neuroscience & Karma
Species: In the ascending sequence, species is the basic unit and the lowest category. A species is defined as a group of individuals which are genetically distinct, reproductively isolated and similar in morphological characteristics. Panthera leo, the lion and panthera tigris, the tiger are species of the genus panthera.
Genus (Pl. Genera): A genus is an assemblage of related species and it is implied that all the species under one genus have evolved from a common ancestor. Thus panthera is the generic name for the species lion, leopard and tiger. They have many features in common and they are, therefore, included in one genus. The genus panthera is differentiated from the related genus felis which includes other wild cats such as the golden cat, the jungle cat, etc.
Family: This catagory includes related genera and is separated from other related families by important and characteristic differences. All types of cats belonging to different genera are included under the family felidae. This family is distinctly separated from canidae which includes dogs and foxes.
Order: This category includes related families. Therefore, both the above families are placed under the order carnivora.
Class: This category includes the organisms of related orders, e.g., the order primates which includes man, monkey, gorilla, etc., and the order carnivora which includes the lion, the cat, the bear, the dog, etc., are included in the class mammalia. There are also a number of other orders in the class mammalia.