Botany · Ch 5 — Taxonomy and Systematic Botany
Differences between classical and modern taxonomy
5.11.7
Differences between classical and modern taxonomy
Classical (Alpha/old-systematics) taxonomy is pre-Darwinian: it treats species as a static basic unit and classifies mainly using morphological characters, drawing conclusions from the observation of only a few samples or individuals. Modern (Omega/Neosystematics/Biosystematics) taxonomy is post-Darwinian: it treats species as a dynamic, ever-changing entity, and classifies using morphological AND reproductive characters together with the organism's phylogenetic (evolutionary) relationships, d …
Table 5.9Classical Taxonomy vs Modern Taxonomy
| Classical Taxonomy | Modern Taxonomy |
|---|---|
| Called old systematics or Alpha (a) taxonomy or Taxonomy | Called Neosystematics or Biosystematics or Omega (O) taxonomy |
| Pre-Darwinian | Post-Darwinian |
| Species considered as basic unit and is static | Species considered as dynamic entity and ever changing |
| Classification is mainly based on morphological characters | Classification is based on morphological, reproductive characters and phylogenetic (evolutionary) relationship of the organism |