How did Linnaeus develop his system of naming species?
My method involved meticulous observation and comparison of specimens. I collected a vast number of plants and animals from my travels and from other naturalists. By examining their physical structures, particularly reproductive organs in plants and external features in animals, I identified consistent, distinguishing traits. These characteristics became the basis for grouping organisms into species, then genera, and so on, up through my taxonomic ranks. The brevity and universality of binomial names were crucial for practical scientific communication.
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