The scientific study and description of the variation in living organisms and the relationships that exist between them (the term is often used synonymously with * taxonomy ). It is frequently preceded by a prefix, such as chemo- or bio-, denoting specialized fields of study that are valid in their own right. Several distinct phases in the development of systematics can be recognized. Pre-Darwinian systematics was primarily based on morphological and anatomical data. An understanding of natural selection and the behaviour of populations led to new interpretations and the inclusion of * phylogenetic considerations. Rapid developments in technology during recent decades have greatly aided the fields of chemosystematics and * numerical taxonomy. |
