Final answer:
John Ray initially conceptualized species based on the ability to interbreed, while Carolus Linnaeus created a hierarchical classification system and established binomial nomenclature as the standard for naming species.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of species as a group of organisms that could interbreed and produce fertile offspring was developed by John Ray in the 17th century. However, it was Carolus Linnaeus, who built on earlier works and is considered the father of modern taxonomy. Linnaeus introduced a classification system that organizes living organisms into a hierarchical framework, starting from the kingdom down to the individual species.
Linnaeus is also known for inventing the binomial naming system, which gives each organism a two-part name that includes the genus and the species. This system reduced confusion stemming from regional common names and provided a single, internationally recognized name for each species, such as Homo sapiens for humans. Further expansions to the Linnaean system, like the addition of domain, phylum, and family, have allowed for a more detailed understanding of organismal relationships.