Numerical taxonomy

Numerical taxonomy

Numerical taxonomy is a classification system in biological systematics which deals with the grouping by numerical methods of taxonomic units based on their character states.[1]. It aims to create a taxonomy using numeric algorithms like cluster analysis rather than using subjective evaluation of their properties. The concept was first developed by Robert R. Sokal & Peter H. A. Sneath in 1963[2] and later elaborated by the same authors[3]. They divided the field into phenetics in which classifications are formed based on the patterns of overall similarities and cladistics in which classifications based on the branching patterns of the estimated evolutionary history of the taxa. Note: in recent years many authors treat numerical taxonomy and phenetics as synonyms despite the distinctions made by those authors.

Although intended as an objective classification method, in practice the choice and implicit weighing of characteristics is, of course, influenced by available data and research interests of the investigator. What was made objective was the introduction of explicit steps to be used to create phenograms and cladograms using numerical methods rather than subjective synthesis of data.


See also

References

  1. ^ ""Numerical Taxonomy"". www.accessscience.com. McGraw Hill Ltd.. http://www.accessscience.com/abstract.aspx?id=461900&referURL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.accessscience.com%2fcontent.aspx%3fid%3d461900. Retrieved 13 April 2010. 
  2. ^ Sokal & Sneath: Principles of Numerical Taxonomy, San Francisco: W.H. Freeman, 1963
  3. ^ Sneath and Sokal: Numerical Taxonomy, San Francisco: W.H. Freeman, 1973

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  • numerical taxonomy — n. taxonomic classification into categories or units according to the degree of similarity among individuals and groups, based on numerical analysis of large samples of characteristics that are each given equal value …   English World dictionary

  • numerical taxonomy — numerical taxonomy. См. нумерическая систематика. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • numerical taxonomy — Numerical evaluation of similarity between taxonomic units and grouping of these units into higher taxa on the basis of their affinities; taxometrics; see taxonomy …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • numerical taxonomy — noun : taxonomy in which many quantitatively measured characters are given equal weight in the determination of taxa and in the construction of diagrams indicating systematic relationships • numerical taxonomic adjective • numerical taxonomist… …   Useful english dictionary

  • numerical taxonomy — noun Date: 1962 taxonomy in which many quantitatively measured characters are given equal weight in the determination of taxa and the construction of diagrams indicating systematic relationships • numerical taxonomic adjective • numerical… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • numerical taxonomy — The grouping by numerical methods of taxonomic units into taxa based on their character states …   Dictionary of microbiology

  • numerical taxonomy — classification of organisms by a comparison of large numbers of observable characteristics that are given equal value instead of being weighted according to possible evolutionary significance. Also called numerical phenetics. [1960 65] * * * …   Universalium

  • numerical taxonomy — an arithmetic method of classifying large numbers of bacterial strains on the basis of their overall similarity to one another, according to the number of phenotypic characters they share, each character being given equal weight. Called also… …   Medical dictionary

  • numerical taxonomy — numer′ical taxon′omy n. bio classification of organisms by a comparison of large numbers of observable characteristics that are given equal value instead of being weighted according to possible evolutionary significance • Etymology: 1960–65 …   From formal English to slang

  • Taxonomy — is the practice and science of classification. The word comes from the Greek Polytonic|τάξις , taxis (meaning order , arrangement ) and Polytonic|νόμος , nomos ( law or science ). Taxonomies, or taxonomic schemes, are composed of taxonomic units… …   Wikipedia

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