The classification of fossils follows Linnaeus’ binomial nomenclature, using genus and species names. Fossils are organized into seven taxonomic ranks, from kingdom to species, allowing scientists to study ancient life forms systematically.
The system used in the nomenclature of fossils is the binomial system of nomenclature proposed by Carolus Linnaeus. According to binomial nomenclature, the scientific name of an organism is composed of two Latin words, i.e., the first word is called genus, followed by the second word is called species.
There are seven obligate categories used in taxonomic studies of all known organisms, which are: Kingdom, Division (for plants) or phylum (for animals), class, order, family, genus, and species.
Example-Taxonomy of Argopecten gibbus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Pectinida
Family: Pectinidae
Genus: Argopecten
Species: A. gibbus
