Difference between Natural, Artificial and Phylogenetic Classification
Classification is the systematic grouping of organisms based on
their similarities and differences (or shared common characters).
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Artificial
Classification
- Based on random selection of unifying or shared characteristics
- Classification system based on a few easily observable traits
- Unrelated organisms may be placed together, related organisms may be separated
- Advantage: Stable, easy to develop
- Disadvantage: does not show evolutionary relationships, very rigid without flexibility.
- Examples: Theophrastus (370-285 B.C.) classification of plants into herbs, shrubs and trees
- Linnaeus (1707-1778): Classified flowering plants based on number and arrangement of stamens
- Aristotle Classified animals into “with blood “and without blood”
Natural Classification
- Classification based on several similarities between organisms, and evolutionary relationships
- Several morphological characters, anatomy, cytology, biochemistry, genetics, ontogeny are considered for classification
- Related organisms placed together; unrelated organisms separated
- Adanson (1727-1806), A.P. de Candolle (1778-1841), Bentham (1800-1884) and Hooker (1817-1911)
- Advantage: Classifies organisms based on similarities, widely accepted classification system because
- Disadvantage: Shows evolutionary relationship to some extent. Rapid mutation of parameters can cause contradictory classifications; sometime closely related groups may be placed separately
- Example: Adanson (1727-1806), A.P. de Candolle (1778-1841) classification of plants,
- Bentham (1800-1884) and Hooker (1817-1911) system: Classified over 97,205 plant species into 202 families and 7,569 genera primarily based on morphological, anatomical and floral characters.
Phylogenetic
Classification
- Based on Evolutionary ancestry and genetic relationships
- A classification primarily based on molecular data especially DNA sequences from multiple genes
- Organisms are classified based on evolutionary ancestry
- Advantage: This molecular data allows for a more reliable classification that reflects evolutionary lineage and common ancestry. Depicts genetic relationships, a modern system of classification
- Disadvantage: Difficult to classify based on evolutionary tendencies due to imperfect fossil records and DNA sequencing possible only in sophisticated laboratories therefore not widely accepted as natural system of classification.
- Examples: Engler (1844-1930) and Prantl (1849-1893), Bessey (1845-1915), Hutchinson (1884-1972), Takhtajan (1910-2009), Cronquist (1919-1992)
- Angiosperm phylogeny Group (APG IV) Groups angiosperms into 64 major clades, a classification that reflects evolutionary lineage and common ancestry.
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