Question

As we go from species to kingdom in a taxonomic hierarchy, the number of common characteristics ______.

• A. decrease
• B. increase
• C. remain the same
• D. may increase or decrease

Answer 1

The correct option is A

decrease

In the Linnaean system of hierarchy, as we go from species to kingdom, the number of common characters decrease. While in the descending order, the number of common characteristics increase. For example, any genus (lower grade of classification) has members with more similarities as compared to a family (a higher grade of classification) which has members with fewer similarities among them.