New Systematics or Moders Taxonomy

New Systematics or Moders  Taxonomy

    The term systematic was coined by Julian Huxley. New systematics is systematic study which takes into consideration all types of characters including those from classifical morphology, anatomy, cytology phychemistry, ecology, genetics, development, behavior, etc. of the whole population instead of a few typological specimens. In contrast classical systematics is based on the study of mainly morpholocal traits of one or a few speciments with supporting evidences from other fields. New systamatics is also called Population syatematics and biosystematics.  It strives to bring out evolutionary relationships amongst organisms.

1.       New systematic is based on the study of all types of variations in the species.

2.       Along with morphological characters, other investigaons are also carried out to know the variety of traits.

3.       Delimitation of species is carried out on the basis of all types of biological traits. It is also called biological delimitation.

4.       Traits indicating primitiveness and advancement are found out.

5.       Inter-relationships are brought out.

6.       Species are considered dynamic.

Differences

New systematic or modern taxonomy differs from classical taxonomy in Species longer occupies the central position in the work on systematic. Instead emphasis has shifted over subspecies and populations. Morpological definition of species has given way to biological definition which  besides morphology takes into consideration cytology, physiology, biochemistry, ecology, genetics, etc. The workers less interested in the question specimens. Experimental variability is introduced to measure various parameters. Statistical data is compiled to know the state of primitiveness, advancement and interrelationship. Species are not fixed or static but highly dynamic. Discarding of typological concept in favour of large scale study.

1.       Study or Organisms. There are over one million types of animals and half a million types of plants existing on earth. All of them cannot be studied individually. Systematics provides us with a means to study a few organisms of a group and get a fair idea about the essential features of the organisms belonging to that group. For example, among bryophytes, the study of only three plants helps as to understand the main features of the group having about 24000 species. Only a few plants and animals occur in a given locality. The outside organisms cannot be studied without a proper systematics. Systematics is also a tool to identify Fossils and Newly discovered organisms,

2.       Evolution. Systematics allows us to know about organic diversity, relationship and evolutionary tendencies amongst organisms.

3.       Ecology. An Ecological survey of an area is possible only after identification of flora and fauna of that area. Herbaria floras and manuals based on systemtics are useful for this study.

Further, an ecological balance is maintained in nature by a web of relationship and food chains among different organisms. Destruction of some or introduction of new organisms disturbd this web and brings about an ecological chaos. Thus rabbits and Opuntia introduced in Australia caused a havoc to agriculture and forestry of that country. Similarly, in India the weed Eupatorium  odoratum replaced the teak forests of India while Lantana camara occupied larger forest areas in U.P. and South India. The recent introduction of a weed is Parthenium hysterophorus. A correct identification can prevent the entry of harmful plants and animals in a county.

4.       Indicator Organisms. They are plants and animals which live in a specific type of soil or environment. Thus the type and intensity of water pollution can be notes by identifying the organisms in that water. Likewise some organisms give us information about the minerals found in area. Ground water is indicated by some plants. Even the availability of coal and petroleum can be detected by the identification of fossils.

5.       Other Disciplines. The knowledge of systemic is essential for proper study of every other branch of biology-physiology, anatomy, morphology, pathology, genetics, cytology, population biology, etc.

6.       Applied Biology. Systematics is connected to all sections of applied biology. Improvement of through breeding requires the knowledge of all types of varieties, subspecies, and related species. Only after a thorough study of genetic pool in the different  categories, world a breeder decide upon the crossing pattern. In forestry we not only require the knowledge of all types of plants growing in different strata but also about the animals. Some of the animals are useful while others are harmful. Insects and some other animals are also the pests of crop plants. Therefore, they most be identified properly. Besides identification, the habits and development  of pests should also be studied to know control measure by insecticides and introduction of the natural predators Many insects spread diseases in man either directly or through contamination. The identification of the organisms spreading disease, study of their feeding habits, breeding, causative agents, etc. are possible through systematic only. Systematics is also required in the in the obtaining and processing of aquatic foods and conservation