School of Studies in Zoology and
Biotechnology
Vikram University, Ujjain
M.Sc. Zoology (Semester-I)
Session-2021-22
DEFINITION AND BASIC
CONCEPT OF
BIOSYSTEMATICS
Guided by : Submitted by :
DR. SHIVI BHASIN ANJALI DHAKAD
CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Definition of taxonomy
• Definition of Systematics
• Basic concepts of taxonomy
• Trends in biosystematics
• Conclusions
• References
Introduction
•In 1813 taxonomy term was coined by A.P. de Candolle
initially for plants and subsequently changed to animals.
•In general art of classification is called taxonomy.
Arrangements of the organisms in orderly fashion.
•Systematic arrangements of plants and animals in
particular fashion.
•Each species may exist in numerous different forms
(sexes, age, classes, seasonal forms, morphs and other
phena).
Definition of taxonomy
According to Simpson, taxonomy is the
theoretical study of classification
including its basis, principle, procedure
and rules.
Definition of Systematics
⚫ The term Systematics is derived from
Latinized Greek word systema, as applied to
the systems of classifications developed by
early naturalists.
⚫ Systematics is the science of diversity of
organisms.
Basic concepts of taxonomy
o Two major basic concept of taxonomy :
o Older concept
o Modern concept
1. Older concept: when nothing was there or
known, Aristotle, Plateau and Hypocraks
were the naturalist, who stated that nature
provides variation so animal vary from each
other.
There were no classification. They
observed the nature on the basis of
similarity and differences. e.g. grouping of
wing/unwinged insects, bipoda/tetrapoda
Cont…….
2. Modern concept : later on Linnaeus states
his own terminology. He gave his own
concept and was
considered as “father of taxonomy”. Nature has
not given names. But it is the art of human
being to give nomenclature. He wrote a
book Systema Naturalae.
Trends in biosystematics
The main aim of modern classification is not only the
understanding, identification, and proper arrangement
of animals but it also include the study of history of
their development and evolution.
During early periods the animals were studied only on the
basis of their outer structure i.e. morphology attention
was paid in different species, sub-species, sub-groups etc.
Morphologic species are now called as biological
species.
Now the study of animals includes the study of
genetics, hereditary, biochemical and other characters
along with morphological characters.
This idea provides knowledge of actual structure and
history of development of species.
1. Chemotaxonomy: This new technique of taxonomic science
is more applicable on plants and animals. Candolle (1813)
was first to approach this method in his experiment and to
develop new methods to identify closely related species.
It was well known that the metabolic activities of an
organism are related with complex chemical changes.
In addition to this a number of proteins, nucleic acids,
enzymes, hormones etc. are also found in body of an
organism.
The diversity or difference in these substances can also
play an important role in classification.
This the difference or change in these substances is
considered to be basic and real difference in genetical and
hereditary process which is more important than
morphological changes. Which were considered to be
base of classification.
2.Cytotaxonomy : Cytotaxonomy means the cytological
approach of taxonomy i.e. how cytology makes the task
of taxonomist easy. It is studied in following steps:
Genetic compliments: It comparises the genome (the DNA
in the nucleus) and plasmid (the DNA in cytoplasmic
organelle). DNA is the essential materials of heredity.
⚫ It is believed that the amount of DNA per chromosome set
is constant for each species.
⚫ But it is still not certain that ratio of DNA content
of chromosomes are attributable to variation in size
of heterochromatin segment.
Karyological studies: The karyotype which is
characterized by chromosones no., size and morphology is
a definite and constant character of each species.
⚫ The number, shape and banding of chromosomes can be
determined by using various dissecting and staining
techniques.
Histochemical studies: When same kind of tissue of
different animal species, may exhibit apparently the
same functions,histochemical difference between them
may be observed which would be of taxonomic value.
Molecular taxonomy:
⚫Molecular taxonomy is the classification of organisms
on the basis of the distribution and composition of
chemical substances in them.
⚫The species can be differentiated on the basis of
amino acid sequence in the protein of an organism and
their difference can be found in different species.
⚫The name molecular taxonomy can be given by Lahni
(1964).
⚫Turner (1966) preferred to divided into two types
micromolecular and macromolecular taxonomy.
1. Micro molecular taxonomy: Stress upon the
distribution and biosynthetic interrelationship
of small molecular weight compounds.
⚫ Such as free amino acids, turpanes, flavonoides
etc.commonly referred as secondary compounds.
2. Macromolecular taxonomy: It is considered with
polymeric molecules like DNA, RNA,
polysaccharides and proteins.
Conclusions
⚫ Taxonomy is the science of defining and
naming groups of biological groups of
organisms on the basis of shared
characteristics.
⚫ Systematics is the science of naming and
organizing organisms based on common
ancestry. In a systematic taxonomy all of the
species in a genus are more related to one
another then to any other species.
Reference
s⚫
⚫ Google search.
Animal taxonomy and museology: By Dr.
R.C. Dalela and Dr. R.S. Sharma.
⚫ Theory and Practice of Animal Taxonomy:
By V.C. Kapoor.
