taxonomy

(noun)

the science of finding, describing, classifying and naming organisms

Related Terms

Examples of taxonomy in the following topics:

  • Measuring Biodiversity

    • This task is carried out by the non-profit IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) which maintains the Red List: an online listing of endangered species categorized by taxonomy, type of threat, and other criteria .
    • The Red List is an online listing of endangered species categorized by taxonomy, type of threat, and other criteria.

  • Phylum Rotifera

    • Although their taxonomy is currently in flux, one treatment places the rotifers in three classes: Bdelloidea, Monogononta, and Seisonidea.

  • The Levels of Classification

    • Taxonomy (which literally means "arrangement law") is the science of classifying organisms to construct internationally-shared classification systems with each organism placed into more and more inclusive groupings.

  • Building Phylogenetic Trees

    • Taxonomy is a subjective discipline: many organisms have more than one connection to each other, so each taxonomist will decide the order of connections.

  • Constructing an Animal Phylogenetic Tree

    • Evolutionary trees differ from taxonomy which is an ordered division of organisms into categories based on a set of characteristics used to assess similarities and differences.