How are taxonomy and evolution related?
1 Answer
Classical taxonomy is not related to evolutionary theory, Modern taxonomy based on Clads is dependent on evolutionary theory.
Explanation:
taxonomy was invented with kingdoms, phylum, orders, families, genus, and species before evolution was proposed.
Classical taxonomy is based on observable characteristics of organism, not on Darwinian evolution.
Cladistics the most modern form of taxonomy is based on Darwinian evolution. Taking Darwinian evolution as an axiom makes all groupings ancestor descendent sets.
Clads are based on supposed evolutionary relationships. Domains are added as a higher classification than Kingdoms. This is to reflect the idea that the earliest organisms were likely bacteria. So bacteria becomes a separate Domain as does related bacteria Archea.
