What is the full scientific designation for the domestic dog using trinomial nomenclature?
Answer
Canis lupus familiaris
The current, precise scientific designation for the domestic dog is Canis lupus familiaris. This name utilizes trinomial nomenclature, which includes the Genus (*Canis*), the Species (*lupus*), and the Subspecies (*familiaris*). This specific structure is scientifically significant because it explicitly acknowledges that the dog is not a separate species but rather a domesticated subspecies that diverged from the gray wolf (*Canis lupus*). This reflects a deeper genetic closeness and shared ancestry with wolves than if it were classified as a distinct species, which implies a complete reproductive barrier.
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