Genus as unit of classficiation was first employed by

Options

A. Huxley
B. De Candolle
C. Tournfort
D. Linnaeus

Explanation

To solve the question "Genus as a unit of classification was first employed by," we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Taxonomic Hierarchy**:
- The first step is to recognize the taxonomic hierarchy, which includes categories such as kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Genus is a crucial category that groups species that are closely related.

2. **Identify the Historical Context**:
- The question asks about the historical use of the term "genus" in classification. This requires knowledge of the history of biological classification and the contributions of various scientists.

3. **Review the Options Provided**:
- The options given in the question are:
- A) Huxley
- B) Decandolle
- C) Turnforth
- D) Linnaeus
- We need to evaluate these names in the context of their contributions to taxonomy.

4. **Recall the Contributions of Linnaeus**:
- Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, is known for formalizing the system of naming organisms called binomial nomenclature. He is credited with establishing the genus as a formal unit of classification.

5. **Select the Correct Answer**:
- Based on the historical context and contributions, the correct answer is D) Linnaeus.

### Final Answer:
Genus as a unit of classification was first employed by **Linnaeus**.

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