COPELAND FOUR KINGDOM CLASSIFICATION

COPELAND FOUR KINGDOM CLASSIFICATION

·   The development of Electron microscopy revealed important distinctions between those organisms whose cells do not have a distinct nucleus (Prokaryotes) and organisms whose cells do have a distinct nucleus (Eukaryotes). In 1937, Edouard Chatton introduced the terms "prokaryote" and "eukaryote" to differentiate these organisms.

·       As Prokaryotes were different from Eukaryotes, a new group, Monera was formed.

·   In 1956, an American Taxonomist Herbert F. Copeland suggested that all Prokaryotes i.e., bacteria, cyanobacteria, etc., be placed under Kingdom Monera.

·    Copeland created a new Kingdom Monera to accommodate Lower Protists (Prokaryotes) and retained the Higher Protists (Eukaryotes) under the Kingdom Protists.

·  According to Copeland, Four kingdoms are Monera, Protista, Metaphyta (Plantae) and Metazoa (Animalia).

Demerits of Four Kingdom Classification 

·       The main drawback of this system is that fungi are not properly placed. Fungi continued to remain with plants.

·       Viruses were not given place in this classification system also.