Phylogenetics and systematics are two closely related fields in evolutionary biology that aim to understand the evolutionary relationships and history of organisms.
Phylogenetics is the study of the evolutionary relationships among different species or groups of organisms. Phylogenetic trees, also known as evolutionary trees, are diagrams that show the branching patterns of evolutionary relationships between organisms. Phylogenetics uses molecular data, such as DNA sequences, to infer evolutionary relationships and create phylogenetic trees. Phylogenetic trees can be used to study the origin and diversification of species, as well as to reconstruct the evolutionary history of traits or characteristics.
Systematics is the study of biological diversity and the classification of organisms. Systematics uses phylogenetics as a tool to classify organisms based on their evolutionary relationships. The classification of organisms into groups is known as taxonomy, and the resulting classification system is known as a taxonomy or a classification hierarchy. The most commonly used classification system is the Linnaean system, which groups organisms into hierarchical categories such as kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Systematics also aims to develop and refine methods for identifying and describing species, as well as for reconstructing the evolutionary history of groups of organisms.
Together, phylogenetics and systematics provide important tools for understanding the evolutionary relationships and history of life on Earth. By studying the evolutionary relationships of organisms, we can gain insights into the patterns and processes of evolution, as well as into the origins and diversification of different groups of organisms.