defined "systematic biology" and "taxonomy" (terms that are often confused and used interchangeably) in relationship to one another as follows:
"Systematics studies phylogeny to provide a pattern that can be translated into the classification and names of the more inclusive field of taxonomy" (listed as a desirable but unusual definition)."The analysis of an organism's characteristics for the purpose of classification"."The science of classification as applied to living organisms, including study of means of formation of species, etc.".The science of classification, in biology the arrangement of organisms into a classification.A field of science (and major component of systematics) that encompasses description, identification, nomenclature, and classification.Theory and practice of grouping individuals into species, arranging species into larger groups, and giving those groups names, thus producing a classification.
As points of reference, recent definitions of taxonomy are presented below: The exact definition of taxonomy varies from source to source, but the core of the discipline remains: the conception, naming, and classification of groups of organisms. 3.2 Recent comprehensive classifications.With advances in the theory, data and analytical technology of biological systematics, the Linnaean system has transformed into a system of modern biological classification intended to reflect the evolutionary relationships among organisms, both living and extinct. The Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus is regarded as the founder of the current system of taxonomy, as he developed a ranked system known as Linnaean taxonomy for categorizing organisms and binominal nomenclature for naming organisms. The principal ranks in modern use are domain, kingdom, phylum ( division is sometimes used in botany in place of phylum), class, order, family, genus, and species. Organisms are grouped into taxa (singular: taxon) and these groups are given a taxonomic rank groups of a given rank can be aggregated to form a more inclusive group of higher rank, thus creating a taxonomic hierarchy. In biology, taxonomy (from Ancient Greek τάξις ( taxis) 'arrangement', and -νομία ( -nomia) ' method') is the scientific study of naming, defining ( circumscribing) and classifying groups of biological organisms based on shared characteristics.