The species alive today are only a very small percentage of the perhaps billions of species which have lived on this earth since life first evolved over 3.5 x 109 years ago. The insects are by far the most abundant arthropods. It can be a bewildering yet extremely interesting problem. The Role of Taxonomy 1. Taxonomy works out for us a vivid picture of the existing organic diversity of the earth.
Taxonomy provides much of the information permitting a reconstruction of the phylogeny of life.
Taxonomy reveals numerous interesting evolutionary phenomena. Taxonomy supplies classifications which are of great explanatory value in most branches of biology and paleontology. Without a set of international rules to follow, the results of taxonomy would be confusing at best. The object of the code is to promote stability and universality in the scientific names of animals. All names must be unique, universal, and show stability.