Part 2: Taxonomy vs Systematics

 Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not quite the same.

Taxonomy:

• Focuses on identification, naming, and classification

• Deals with morphological and molecular features

• Ends with assigning names and categories

Systematics:

• Includes taxonomy plus the study of evolutionary relationships

• Uses tools like phylogenetic trees, molecular markers, and comparative analysis

• Aims to understand how and why organisms are related

In simple terms: All taxonomists are systematists, but not all systematists are just taxonomists.