The study of the theory, practice, and rules of classification of living and extinct organisms. The naming, description, and classification of a given organism draws on evidence from a number of fields.
Classical taxonomy is based on morphology and anatomy.
Cytotaxonomy compares the size, shape, and number of chromosomes of different organisms. Numerical taxonomy uses mathematical procedures to assess similarities and differences and establish taxonomic groups. See also systematics . 1. classification Dictionary of Biology, Oxford University Press 2. All rights reserved.