Taxonomin

Taxonomin, or taxonomy, is the science of naming, describing, and classifying organisms and other significant entities. It aims to organize biological diversity into a hierarchical framework that commonly includes ranks such as domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species, along with rules for the valid formation and publication of names. Taxonomy is closely linked to systematics, the study of evolutionary relationships among organisms.

Historically, taxonomy began with Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century, who introduced binomial nomenclature and a standardized ranking system. Today, multiple nomenclature codes regulate naming, including the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), and the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP). Type specimens, such as holotypes, underpin the stability and reference of names.

Modern taxonomy relies on an array of data and methods. Traditional morphology remains important, but molecular data from DNA sequencing, as well as computational methods in phylogenetics, increasingly guide classification and reveal evolutionary relationships. Taxonomic decisions are continually revised as new evidence emerges, leading to synonymies, reclassifications, or the description of new species.

Taxonomin informs biodiversity inventories, conservation planning, ecology, agriculture, and medicine. Public databases and resources—such as Catalogue of Life, ITIS, GBIF, and phylogenetic trees—sustain access to names and relationships. While the field strives for stability, it remains dynamic, reflecting ongoing discoveries and debates about how best to reflect life’s diversity.