Systematic is a science that studies the biological diversity of the planet

If you were asked to describe your bedroom, then you probably would not have called every single thing, since this listing will last a long time. Instead, you would probably simplify it all by grouping things into categories such as books, toys, E, paintings, furniture, and so on. What is taxonomy? It is a science that studies the biological diversity of animal and plant life through its classification.

Why do you need taxonomy?

Imagine if you can describe the city without using different categories, such as cars, people, buildings, bridges and roads? This is what the systematics is for. Now try to imagine a scientist who does not have any opportunity to unite all living beings on the planet. In biology, taxonomy is a science that studies and classifies all life on the planet.

Two types of taxonomy

There are two closely related and overlapping levels of classification: taxonomic (known as the Linnaeus system) and phylogenetic.

• Taxonomic classifications of groups of living beings on the basis of common features. For example, animals that lay eggs and have scales, we call reptiles, and animals that have livebirths and fur or hair, we call mammals.
• Phylogenetic classifications use taxonomic names and show how groups of organisms are evolutionarily related to one another. For example, gorillas are more closely related to humans than to cockroaches.

The systematics of animals is a science that studies and classifies the entire biological diversity of fauna. If we draw an analogy with human relations, then any living entity has a name (taxonomic classification), as well as a certain degree of kinship with other organisms. For example, chimpanzees and macaques will be, figuratively speaking, brothers, their uncle will be a gorilla, the person will be their distant relative, but with a cockroach they will not be acquainted at all (phylogenesis). Systematics of plants is a science that studies the enormous diversity of the plant world.

Karl Linnaeus - father of modern systematics

What would biologists do without a universal way of grouping organisms? It would be real chaos. For this invaluable tool is to thank Karl Linnaeus, also known as Carl von Linnaeus (1707-1778). The Swedish botanist, zoologist and physician is considered in modern science as the "father of systematics". He was the first who consistently used the classification system (taxonomy) for classifying organisms on the basis of common features. His at the same time a strict and simple methodology gave quite scientific validity in the field of classification.

Biodiversity

Systematics is a science in biology, studying its huge variety of living things, which is one of the defining features of the world of nature. This scientific discipline is closely related to ecology and evolutionary biology. Systematics is a science that studies and examines how new species are formed, how certain ecological processes occur, why some groups maintain an incredibly wide range of species, and some organisms simply die out.

This is due to the characteristics of different organisms, which makes it possible to give a detailed study of specific groups. Systematics seeks to understand the history of life through the phylogenetic and genetic relationships of living beings. Assessment of diversity and knowledge of the principles and procedures of this discipline are important in ecology, evolutionary and environmental biology.

Systematics and phylogenetic tree

Systematics is a science that studies the diversity of living organisms of the past and present, as well as their relationships over time, which are depicted as phylogenetic trees. The evolutionary tree is divided into two parts: the first is known as the branching of the order, which shows the interrelationships of organisms within the group, the second is called the length of the branch that determines the evolutionary period through which organisms passed.

Value

Systematics plays a central role in biology, providing the means for characterizing the organisms under study. Due to the classification reflecting evolutionary relations, it becomes possible to predict and test various hypotheses. Phylogeny can be useful for predicting data on the history of life of under-studied biological groups.

Biological taxonomy studies the diversification of all living forms of past and present, as well as the relationship between them. Dendrograms of species and higher taxa are used to study evolutionary features (eg, anatomical or molecular characteristics) and show the distribution of organisms (biogeography). Systematic is simply necessary for understanding the evolutionary history of life on planet Earth.