The proposal to divide birds into Ratitae and Carinatae established a foundation for ornithology, distinguishing species by the structural differences of their sternums. This classification system originated with Blasius Merrem, a scholar whose multi-disciplinary approach bridged the fields of zoology, botany, and mathematics during the transition from natural philosophy to organized academic inquiry.
Academic Foundation
Born in 1761 in Bremen, Merrem received his education at the University of Göttingen. During his studies under Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, he developed an interest in the biological sciences that would define his career. Throughout his life, he held memberships in prestigious institutions, including the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, and the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences.
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Take the IQ test →Contributions to Ornithology
His primary influence on avian taxonomy appeared in 1816 with the publication of Tentamen Systematis Naturalis Avium in Berlin. By categorizing birds based on whether they possessed a flat sternum, known as Ratitae, or a keeled sternum, designated as Carinatae, he provided a framework for future researchers. This work reflected his broader efforts in the 1784-1786 publication Beyträge zur besondern Geschichte der Vögel gesammelt and his 1786 work Avium rariorum et minus cognitarum icones et descriptiones.
Developments in Herpetology
In 1820, Merrem published Versuch eines Systems der Amphibien, a text that marked a shift in the classification of reptiles and amphibians. He was the first to separate these two groups accurately, while simultaneously isolating crocodilians from lizards and consolidating lizards and snakes into a single order. His legacy remains within the field through the scientific naming of the South American snake species Xenodon merremii and the subspecies Erythrolamprus miliaris merremi.
University Tenure and Diverse Research
Merrem relocated to the University of Marburg, where he served as a professor starting in 1804, teaching political economy and botany. His research output was extensive and crossed linguistic boundaries, encompassing Latin and German works ranging from the 1781 study De animalibus Scythicis apud Plinium to his 1809 Handbuch der Pflanzenkunde nach dem Linneischen System. He remained active in Marburg until his death in 1824 at the age of 63.
Fast facts
- Born: 1761, Bremen
- Died: 1824, Marburg
- Education: University of Göttingen
- Primary Employer: University of Marburg
- Key Publication: Tentamen Systematis Naturalis Avium (1816)
- Scientific Honor: Xenodon merremii snake species
Questions readers ask
What major contribution did Merrem make to bird classification?
He proposed the division of birds into two groups, Ratitae and Carinatae, based on the presence or absence of a keeled sternum.
What distinguished his work in herpetology?
He was the first to accurately separate amphibians from reptiles and categorize crocodilians, lizards, and snakes within a new systematic framework.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Marburg
- Educated at University of Göttingen
