Distinguish between:(a) Systematics and taxonomy(b) Artificial and natural systems of classification(c) Species and taxon

(a) Systematics and taxonomy:
Systematics and taxonomy are closely related fields within the study of biology, specifically focused on organizing and classifying living organisms. However, they have distinct roles:

Systematics: Systematics refers to the scientific study of the diversity of organisms and their evolutionary relationships. It aims to understand the evolutionary history and patterns of biological diversity. Systematics incorporates various methods and techniques, such as comparative anatomy, molecular biology, and fossil records, to reconstruct evolutionary relationships and create phylogenetic trees. It also considers factors such as speciation, extinction, and biogeography.

Taxonomy: Taxonomy, on the other hand, is a specific subfield of systematics concerned with the classification and naming of organisms. It involves organizing organisms into a hierarchical system of groups based on their shared characteristics. Taxonomists assign names to organisms and group them into categories, including species, genera, families, orders, classes, phyla, and kingdoms. The Linnaean system of taxonomy, based on hierarchical ranks, is commonly used, although modern approaches incorporate evolutionary relationships inferred through systematics.

In summary, systematics focuses on understanding the evolutionary relationships and patterns of biodiversity, while taxonomy is the discipline responsible for classifying and naming organisms.

(b) Artificial and natural systems of classification:
Artificial and natural systems of classification are approaches used to categorize and organize living organisms, but they differ in their underlying principles:

Artificial classification: Artificial classification is a traditional approach that categorizes organisms based on a limited set of easily observable characteristics or features. This system does not necessarily reflect the evolutionary relationships or genetic relatedness between organisms. Artificial classification might group organisms based on similarities in external appearance, habitat, or specific traits without considering their evolutionary history. It is primarily concerned with practical identification and organization rather than evolutionary connections.

Natural classification: Natural classification, on the other hand, aims to organize organisms based on their evolutionary relationships and genetic relatedness. It seeks to reflect the evolutionary history and shared ancestry among organisms. Natural classification utilizes a range of data, such as anatomical similarities, molecular evidence, and genetic relationships, to determine the evolutionary relatedness of organisms. This approach results in a classification system that groups organisms into categories based on their common ancestry and evolutionary history.

In summary, artificial classification focuses on easily observable characteristics for practical purposes, while natural classification aims to represent the evolutionary relationships and genetic relatedness of organisms.

(c) Species and taxon:
Species and taxon are related concepts within the field of biology, but they differ in their scope and hierarchical level:

Species: A species is the basic unit of biological classification. It is a distinct group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring in their natural environment. Members of the same species share a common gene pool and exhibit significant similarities in their physical characteristics and genetic makeup. The scientific name of a species consists of two parts: the genus name and the specific epithet. For example, Homo sapiens refers to the species name for modern humans.

Taxon: A taxon, on the other hand, is a general term used to describe any group or category in a taxonomic hierarchy. It can refer to any level of classification, ranging from broad categories such as phyla or classes to narrower categories such as families or genera. A taxon can represent a group of related species or a higher-level classification that encompasses multiple taxa. For example, the family Felidae represents a taxon that includes various species of cats.

In summary, a species is a specific category of organisms capable of interbreeding, while a taxon is a general term referring to any level of classification in a taxonomic hierarchy, including species and higher-level categories.