It is the process by which anything is grouped into categories based on some easily observable characters. Hence, based on characteristics, all living organisms can be classified into different taxa. This process of classification is taxonomy.
Hence, characterisation, identification, classification and nomenclature are the processes that are basic to taxonomy. Sytematics include identification, nomenclature and classification. It also takes into account evolutionary Kingdom relationships between organisms.
The word systematics is derived from the Latin word ‘systems’ which means systematic arrangement of organisms. Linnaeus used Systems Naturae as the title of his publication.
TAXONOMIC CATEGORIES:
It involves hierarchy of steps that represents a rank or category. Since all categories together constitute the taxonomic hierarchy. Each category, referred to as a unit of classification termed as taxon Insects represent a group of organisms sharing common features like three pairs of jointed legs. It means insects are recognisable give the rank. Each rank or taxon represents a unit of classification.
Common categories as kingdom, phylum or division (for plants), class, order, family, genus and species. In the plant and animal kingdoms species is lowest category.This helps in identifying similarities and dissimilarities among the individuals of the same kind of organisms as well as of Other kinds of organisms
Species:
The group of individual organisms with fundamental similarities are called species. The species distinguish from other closely related species based on the distinct morphological differences.
For example Mangifera indica, Solanum tuberosum (potato) and Panthera leo (lion). All the three names, indica, tuberosum and leo, represent the specific epithets, while the first words Mangifera, Solanum and Panthera are genera.
Genus:
Genus comprises a group of related species which has more common characters For example, potato, tomato and brinjal are three different species but all belong to the genus Solanum. Lion (Panthera leo), leopard (P pardus) and tiger (P. Tigris) with several commodes features are all species of the genus Panthera.
Family:
Family, has a group of related genera with number of similarities. Families are characterised on the basis of both vegetative and reproductive features of plant species.
Solanum, Petunia and Datura are placed in the family Solanaceae. Genus Panthera, comprising lion, tiger, leopard is put along with genus, Fells (cats) in the family Felidae
Order:
Order is the assemblage of families which exhibit a few similar characters. The similar characters are less in number as compared to different genera included in a family.
Plant families like Convolvulaceae, Solanaceae are included in the order polymoniales mainly based on the floral characters. The animal order, Carnivora, includes families like Felidae and Cancidae.
Class:
This category includes related orders. For example, order Primata comprising monkey, gorilla and gibbon is placed in class Mammalia The order Carnivora that includes animals like tiger, cat and dog belongs to the Class Mammalia also.
Phylum:
It includes animals like fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds along with mammals.
They have common features like presence of notochord and dorsal hollow neural system, are included in phylum Chordata.
In the case of plants, classes with a few similar characters are placed in the category called Division.
Kingdom:
All animals belonging to various phyla are assigned to the highest category called Kingdom Animalia The Kingdom Plantae, comprises all plants from various divisions.
The taxonomic categories starting with species and ends in kingdom are arranged in ascending order. From species to kingdom, the number of common characteristics goes on decreasing.
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