The two-part scientific name Canis lupus provides information about which taxonomic ranks?

• A. Species and family
• B. Genus and species
• C. Family and order
• D. Order and class

Answer: (B)

In binomial nomenclature, a two-part name gives the genus and the species within that genus. Here, Canis is the genus—the group of closely related species—while lupus is the species epithet that identifies a particular species within that genus. Put together, Canis lupus designates the species Canis lupus. This naming tells you the genus and the specific species, but not the higher levels like family or order (which would be Canidae and Carnivora, respectively).