Taxonomical Aids: Definition, Overview, Types, Uses, Significance, Examples

Taxonomical aids are the various devices and methods biologists use for serving the purpose of identification, classification, and study of organisms. Without these aids, a systematic approach to biological diversity would not be possible. Taxonomical aids is a topic of the chapter The Living World in Biology.

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This Story also Contains

1. Importance of Taxonomical Aids in Biology
2. Types of Taxonomical Aids
3. Importance of Taxonomical Aids in Research and Education
4. Latest Advances in Taxonomical Aids
5. Recommended video on Taxonomical Aids

Importance of Taxonomical Aids in Biology

• The importance of taxonomical aids can be stated as follows:

• They aid in correct identification and classification, which forms the basis of the science of biology.

• Taxonomical aids catalogue and preserve specimens, thus studying and conserving biodiversity.

• These are also the means of providing scientists and students with the means for studying or learning about the different species through scientific research and education.

• They have utility in conservation biology for the identification and protection of endangered species.

Types of Taxonomical Aids

There are many types of taxonomical aids, all of which serve in its way in the study of organisms:

Herbarium

• A herbarium is a collection of preserved, labelled, and systematically arranged plant specimens that are stored for scientific study and reference.

• These specimens are dried, pressed and mounted on sheets. Relevant details in regards to the plant's name, its collection site and date, name of the collector among other information are noted to accompany it.

• The primary use of a herbarium is as a reference for purposes of plant identification and classification enhancing its use in learning research and protection.

Botanical Gardens

• A botanical garden is a well-planned and properly maintained collection of living plants, grown for scientific study, plant conservation, education, and beautification.

• The botanical gardens must act as repositories of botanical variety. Therefore, the biggest possible choices of plant species have to be made available usually including rare, endangered, and exotics.

• The role of such gardens in the preservation of the biodiversity of plants and enhancing environmental awareness has become very important.

Museums

A museum, in the context of biology and taxonomy, is an institution that collects, preserves, and displays specimens of various organisms including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. Curated and organised specimens support scientific research, education, and public understanding of biodiversity. Hence, the role played by museums in taxonomy cannot be wished away because they are the reference collections through which identification, classification, and study of organisms are carried out.

Zoological Parks

These are the facilities where animals are kept, maintained, and viewed by the public. The main purposes of zoological parks involve conservation, education, scientific research, and recreation. These are for the protection of endangered species, enlightenment of the visitors about wildlife and conservation issues, and the allowance of scientific study and breeding programs.

Keys

In taxonomy, keys serve as systematic devices to identify organisms from their characters. Keys possess a series of choices presented usually in pairs leading the user to correct identification species. There exist two main types of keys:

• A dichotomous key provides a series of couplets or paired statements.

• For any given couplet, the user is provided with a choice of two statements representing observable characteristics.

• The user selects that statement which best describes his/her specimen and proceeds to the next couplet until the species description is reached.

• Also referred to as multi-access or matrix keys, polyclave keys employ multiple criteria that may be accessed in any order.

• They are considerably more challenging to produce than dichotomous keys but provide much greater flexibility in the process of identifying organisms that exhibit highly varied characteristics.

Monographs

A monograph is an in-depth and usually specialised study, a treatise on a particular subject or aspect of a subject book devoted to a single topic or a limited area. obvious examples might be biology, botany and zoology books about a single species, but it can also apply to history monographs. The intention is that a detailed analysis description and classification is provided of that which is being considered.

Catalogues

In taxonomy and biodiversity, catalogues refer to ordered lists or inventories that document species and their characteristics, distributions, and ecological roles. They are meant to be reference tools for researchers, students, and policy framers alike.

Also read

• MCQ on Taxonomical Aids
• The Living World
• Taxonomical Hierarchy
• Binomial Nomenclature

Importance of Taxonomical Aids in Research and Education

Keys, monographs, and catalogues are the essential tools of biology and ecology, building our understanding of biodiversity and underpinning conservation and scientific advances. Keys are systematic guides to the identification of species. Monographs are compendia of information on species, or groups. Taken together, these have enabled the unambiguous identification of species, informed efforts towards their conservation and broader lessons about evolutionary relationships, and ecological trends.

Latest Advances in Taxonomical Aids

The innovation of new taxonomical tools has revolutionised biological study. New technologies that include DNA barcoding and digital databases allow for the quick, reliable identification of species. DNA barcoding refers to the use of short genetic markers to identify species in a way that can be used alongside traditional methods based on morphology. For example, digital databases compiling genomic data and specimen records provide global resources readily available for researchers to use, and molecular techniques such as phylogenomics will be increasingly used in phylogenetic reconstructions and taxonomy. Greater automation of the identification process is also foreseeable. As a consequence, taxonomy will remain more dynamic and, pertinent to the conservation of biodiversity and evolutionary research.

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Recommended video on Taxonomical Aids