Types of Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the study of identifying, characterising and classifying all living species, including plants. The classification system is based on cognitive, genetic, and biochemical differences. Taxonomy procedures include characterisation, identification, and categorisation. Organisms are categorised into kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.

Carolus Linnaeus is often regarded as the “Father of Taxonomy.” He is the one who devised a method for naming and organizing species. This method is being followed today. His contributions to taxonomy were many.

• Classification scheme based on hierarchies

• System of binomial nomenclature

Species are groups of creatures that share similar traits. The morphological characteristics of species are used to differentiate them. Mangoes, for example, are all members of the same species. Because there are countless species in nature, it is impossible to recognise and categorise them without a correct technique. The Linnaeus classification system, with some modifications, is used to classify living beings all across the world.

Types of Taxonomy

1. Cytotaxonomy

Cytotaxonomy is a field of biological taxonomy that deals with the categorisation and connections of organisms by applying comprehensive chromosomal research. Because chromosome number is the most often used and referenced feature in biology, chromosomes’ qualities (number, structure, and behaviour) are precious in taxonomy. Chromosome numbers are mainly determined during mitosis and are stated due to the diploid number. The location of the centromere is another important taxonomic feature. Meiotic activity can exhibit heterozygosity of inversions at times. Cytological evidence is more important than other taxonomy evidence.

Cytotaxonomy is more essential than physiological taxonomy because it maintains the comparative analysis of chromosomes, and tiny differences among particulars are frequently identified using this approach. DNA is present in every chromosome, and differences in each DNA are responsible for variation across people, species, genera, and everything else. Cytotaxonomy is a branch of taxonomic biology concerned with the categorisation of organisms. These creatures are classified as combining their purpose and chromosomal (DNA) structure by cytotaxonomy.

2. Chemotaxonomy

Chemotaxonomy, also known as chemosystematics, is the classification and identification of organisms based on fundamental similarities and dissimilarities in their biochemical makeup. It is the biological categorisation of plants and animals based on molecular similarities and differences.

Chemotaxonomy has been applied at all categorisation levels. Chemical evidence has been found in all groups of the plant kingdom, beginning with elemental creatures like fungus and bacteria and progressing to the most complex and specialised group of angiosperms.

Plant selection based on chemotaxonomy is required for effective natural product research. Chemotaxonomy has grown in popularity owing to advances in analytical tools for laboratory testing that can identify even tiny levels of chemical substances.

3. Numerical Taxonomy

It assesses similarities and contrasts, as well as primitiveness and advancement, using statistical methods and a vast number of features acquired from various fields of biology.

These are accompanied by assigning them computer numbers and codes such as plus (+), minus (-), (data not available), and computer analysis. It provides the quantitative degree of the link between people. The affin­ity or connection values are then utilised to create taxonomic groupings.

However, its success is dependent on the biosystematics’ judgment in picking characteristics and current understanding of them.

4. Karyotaxonomy

Karyotaxonomy is the discipline of taxonomy that studies the structure of the nucleus in diverse groups of organisms. Using the number, type, and arrangement of chromosomes, this categorisation method aids in determining the evolutionary connection between species. It also investigates chromosomal bands.

Taxonomy is also divided into some more categories which are being described below:

• Alpha Taxonomy: Species are analysed in alpha taxonomy, where they are identified, named, and described. Species found at this level are named according to the Linnaeus technique of binomial naming.

• Beta Taxonomy: The categorisation of species in a biological process of hierarchical categories based on shared, observable, structural characteristics and the evaluation of numerous traits are called beta taxonomy. As a result, this taxonomy is connected to the hunt for a natural classification system. As a result, each taxon would have diagnostic characteristics unique to that taxon.

• Gamma Taxonomy: The investigation of intraspecific differences and evolutionary studies are essential to gamma taxonomy. The research of speciation is gaining popularity. Only in a few categories of animals does the taxonomy reach the gamma level. It is only until the alpha and beta levels in most groups.

Conclusion

Taxonomy is the discipline of knowledge that deals with these issues. Taxonomic studies of diverse plant and animal species are critical in agriculture, forestry, industry, and, more broadly, understanding our bio-resources and their variety. The fundamentals of taxonomy, such as organism identification, naming, and categorisation, have generally evolved under international conventions. Hope this article helps you!