Molecular systematics

Molecular systematics is a product of the traditional field of systematics and the growing field of bioinformatics. It is the process of using data on the molecular constitution of biological organisms' DNA, RNA, or both, in order to resolve questions in systematics, i.e. about their correct scientific classification or taxonomy from the point of view of evolutionary biology. It is also known as computational systematics. It may also be referred to as molecular genetics or molecular evolution, but both these terms have wider meanings. Molecular systematics is particularly important in, and compatible with, the cladistic approach to taxonomy; however the general cladistic approach is older than molecular systematics and does not necessarily depend upon it. From the mid 1990s onward, molecular systematic analysis has been causing revisions in the accepted classifications of many groups of organisms.

Related Topics:
Systematics - Bioinformatics - DNA - RNA - Scientific classification - Taxonomy - Evolutionary biology - Molecular genetics - Molecular evolution - Cladistic - 1990s

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