Classification:
Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Genus: Tragopan
Species: satyra
Common
Name: Crimson-horned pheasants
Scientific Name: Tragopan satyra
Explanation for Classification:
DOMAIN EUKARYA- Depending on cellular characteristics, organisms can be classified into one of three domains; Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Unlike Archaea and Bacteria, (which are unicellular and simple in cell structure) eukaryotes are organisms that can be either unicellular or multicellular and their cell structure is much more complex. Tragopan satyra are classified into the domain Eukarya because their cells contain both a true nucleus, and many membrane-bound organelles that are responsible for performing different functions.
Check out the organisms Bromus tectorum, Brachypelma vagans, and Dicrocoelium dendriticum if you'd like to witness the incredibly wide-range of diversity within the Domain Eukarya.
KINGDOM ANIMALIA- Within the Domain Eukarya, there are 4 separate Kingdoms; Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and Protista. Animals are multicellular organisms composed of eukaryotic cells (lacking in cell walls) that are organized into tissues (with the exception of sponges). Unlike organisms within the Kingdom Plantae, Animals are unable to carry out photosynthesis (autotrophs) and obtain nutrients primarily through the ingestion and digestion of other organisms (heterotrophs). Most animals reproduce sexually (although some are capable of asexual reproduction) and are capable of some form of motility.
Take a look at Speleomantes strinatii
another member of the Kingdom Animalia!
PHYLUM CHORDATA- Chordates are bilaterally symmetrical deuterostomes that have triploblastic tissue layers (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm), display segmentation, and share five morphological characteristics; a muscular post-anal tail, a notochord, a dorsal nerve cord, an endostyle, and pharyngeal gill slits (Rychel et al. 2006). (The Phyla name is derived from the existence of the notochord and dorsal nerve cord.) Tragopan satyra possess all of these characteristics and are also members of the subphyla vertebrate (a subphyla of Chordata).
Here are some more cool chordates; Amblyopsis rosae and Mustela putorius!
CLASS AVES- Tragopan satyra fall into the class Aves, (also known as birds) because they are able to regulate their internal temperature, generally have a high metabolism, and require certain characteristics for flight including the following; wings, feathers, a vertebral column, and a light-weight skeletal structure (Snow.edu).
Here's something that'll flap your wings! Take a peck at more organisms within the Class Aves;
Calypte anna and Eudyptes chrysocome!
ORDER GALLIFORMS- Organisms within this order are mainly terrestrial birds and are not strong flyers. This is due to their shortened wing span and rounded bodies. Birds within this order communicate through visual displays and vocalization (Wikipedia.org). Some morphologies that are significant to Galliforms include two deep indents in the sternum, a double-headed quadrate (double-jointed square jaw), nostrils, and 16 cervical vertebrae (Dyke et al. 2003).
(Remember the reference to Chickens on the previous page? As it turns out, they are a member of the Order Galliforms too!)
FAMILY PHASIANIDAE- The birds within this family inhabit a diversity of habitats and range in size. Some species (like the Tragopan satyra) are known for their magnificent courtship displays!
GENUS TRAGOPAN- "Tragopan" is a genus of bird
in the family Phasianidae. There are five different species of birds within this genus; Tragopan melanocephalus,
Tragopan temminckii (Temminick's Tragopan),
Tragopan temminckii (Blyth's Tragopan),
Tragopan caboti, and our beloved Tragopan satyra! These birds are commonly called "horny pheasants" because of two fleshy horns on their heads that they have the ability to erect during courtship displays (Wikipedia.org).
SPECIES SATYRA- Tragopan satyra resides in regions of the central and eastern Himalayas in Nepal, India,
Tibet and Bhutan(Madge and McGowan, 2002) and the males are a bright crimson-red!
HABITAT>>
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