What is the Difference Between Artificial Natural and Phylogenetic System of Classification

The key difference between artificial natural and phylogenetic system of classification is that artificial system of classification is the arbitrary selection of unifying characteristics and grouping accordingly, while natural system of classification is the grouping of organisms based on similarities and identifying shared characteristics, and phylogenetic system of classification is the grouping of organisms based on genetics.

With the introduction of the theory of evolution, there arose the need for classifying organisms. Artificial, natural, and phylogenetic systems of classification were developed over time to classify living organisms based on different parameters.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Artificial System of Classification
3. What is Natural System of Classification
4. What is Phylogenetic System of Classification
5. Similarities – Artificial Natural and Phylogenetic System of Classification
6. Artificial vs Natural vs Phylogenetic System of Classification in Tabular Form
7. Summary – Artificial vs Natural and Phylogenetic System of Classification

What is Artificial System of Classification?

Artificial classification is a system of classification of organisms based on non-evolutionary features selected arbitrarily and grouped accordingly. In this system of classification, a few easily observable characteristics are identified arbitrarily and followed by the grouping of organisms accordingly. This system of classification was dominant from 300BC to 1830. Hence, it’s the oldest type of classification system used to group organisms.

The main advantage of artificial classification is that the scheme of classification is stable and easy to develop. Hence, the chance of change is very limited. But due to the simplicity of the classification parameters, artificial classification does not show evolutionary relationships. Therefore, this system of classification is uncommon and is used rarely. For example, when classifying whales by the presence of fins, they will be classified under the category of fish (Class Pisces). Similarly, when classifying snails by the presence of a shell, they will be classified with turtles and not squids. This is the main drawback of artificial classification.

What is Natural System of Classification?

Natural classification is a type of classification used to classify organisms based on similarities initially and then identify their shared characteristics. This system of classification contains evolutionary relationships since this system classifies organisms based on shared characteristics. Natural classification is the basis of the modern classification system.

According to the system of natural classification, all individuals of a group should share a common ancestor. Hence, this system is used to predict characteristics shared by the organisms in the group. The disadvantage of this system of classification is that the parameters used to classify could mutate rapidly and generate new information. This could cause contradictory classifications within the group.

What is Phylogenetic System of Classification?

Phylogenetic classification is a system of classification used to classify organisms based on genetics. Hence, it is based on evolutionary ancestry. This system functions on a theory where organisms that show a high level of homology in their DNA are considered to be more closely related. This system is based on the evolution of life. Phylogenetic classification system depicts genetic relationships among organisms through tree diagrams called cladograms.

Figure 01: Phylogenetic Tree of Classification

Cladograms contain groups of organisms that include an ancestor species along with its descendants. Phylogenetic classification system is the modern system of classifying organisms. Development in molecular biology and analyzing techniques related to DNA led to the development of a more reliable classification system for organisms.

What are the Similarities Between Artificial Natural and Phylogenetic System of Classification?

• All three types are systems of classification used to classify organisms.
• These systems function on a common platform.
• All three types are still used with different frequencies.

What is the Difference Between Artificial Natural and Phylogenetic System of Classification?

The artificial classification system involves the selection of organisms arbitrarily and grouping accordingly. It is stable and easy to develop but does not show any evolutionary relationships. Whereas, the natural classification system is based on evolutionary relationships. Meanwhile, phylogenetic classification is a system of classification used to classify organisms based on genetics. Thus, this is the key difference between artificial natural and phylogenetic system of classification.

The below infographic presents the differences between artificial natural and phylogenetic system of classification in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Artificial vs Natural vs Phylogenetic System of Classification

Classification of organisms is an important aspect of the process of evolution. The first type of classification developed in the history of classification is artificial classification. It is a system of classification based on non-evolutionary features selected arbitrarily and grouped accordingly. Artificial classification is stable and easy to develop but does not show any evolutionary relationships. Natural classification is a type of classification used to classify organisms based on similarities initially and then identify their shared characteristics. The phylogenetic classification is a system of classification used to classify organisms based on genetics. So, this summarizes the difference between artificial natural and phyogentic system of classification.

Reference:

1. “Natural System of Classifying Organisms.” Biology Discussion, 17 Aug. 2016.
2. “What Is an Artificial System of Classification?” Vedantu Class 11 Biology CBSE, 9 June 2021.
3. “What Is Called Phylogenetic System of Classification.” TopperLearning.com.

Image Courtesy:

1. “FAM89A Phylogenetic Tree” By amyqdinh – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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