Who is considered the father of modern taxonomy?

Correct answer: Carolus Linnaeus

Direct answer: A, Carolus Linnaeus. Taxonomy is the science of identifying, naming, and classifying organisms. Linnaeus established a practical and influential system of classification and consistently used binomial nomenclature, in which an organism receives a genus name and a specific epithet. Because of these major contributions, he is widely called the father of modern taxonomy. B, Aristotle, made important early observations and classifications, especially of animals, but he belongs to an earlier period and is not generally given this title. C, Gregor Mendel, is known as the father of genetics because he discovered basic patterns of inheritance through pea experiments. D, Robert Hooke is remembered for observing cork cells and helping introduce the term “cell”; he is not the father of modern taxonomy. Memory cue: “Linnaeus = labels plus classification.” Also remember that taxonomy is broader than nomenclature: nomenclature deals mainly with names, while taxonomy includes identification and classification too.