Animal systematics and taxonomy provide the fundamental framework for understanding the immense diversity of animal life. By integrating traditional morphological evaluation with modern molecular ...

Up until quite recently, the animal phylum Placozoa enjoyed a unique position in animal systematics. It was the only phylum to which only a single species had ever been assigned: Trichoplax adhaerens.

All placozoans are superficially identical. But comparative genomic data reveals the presence of different genera. This is the first time that a new animal genus has been defined solely by genomics.

Introduction: The art of life : depicting the wonder and beauty of animals / James Hanken -- Animal: the works -- Timeline -- Animal taxonomy / Ross Piper, zoologist -- Select biographies -- Glossary ...