The main difference between taxonomy and systematics is that taxonomy is involved in the classification and naming of organisms whereas systematics is involved in the determination of evolutionary relationships of organisms. ... Taxonomy can be considered as a branch of systematics.

Systematics vs Taxonomy:

Definition:
- Systematics is the branch of biology that deals with the study of diversity of organisms, their evolutionary relationships, and their classification.
- Taxonomy, on the other hand, is the science of classification, identification, naming, and categorization of organisms based on their observable characteristics.

Key Differences:

1. Scope:
- Systematics is a broader field that not only involves the classification of organisms but also focuses on understanding their evolutionary relationships and patterns.
- Taxonomy, on the other hand, is primarily concerned with the classification and naming of organisms.

2. Approach:
- Systematics uses various approaches and techniques, such as molecular biology, anatomy, morphology, and paleontology, to study and analyze the evolutionary relationships among organisms.
- Taxonomy is primarily based on observable characteristics of organisms, such as their morphology, anatomy, and behavior, to classify and categorize them.

3. Classification:
- Systematics aims to develop a hierarchical classification system that reflects the evolutionary relationships among organisms. This involves grouping organisms into hierarchies, such as domains, kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.
- Taxonomy focuses on the identification, naming, and categorization of organisms into different taxonomic ranks, such as species, genus, family, order, class, phylum, kingdom, and domain.

4. Evolutionary Relationships:
- Systematics emphasizes the study of evolutionary relationships among organisms, which includes determining their common ancestry and understanding the patterns and processes of evolution.
- Taxonomy does not explicitly delve into the evolutionary relationships among organisms, but it provides a framework for organizing and classifying organisms based on their shared characteristics.

5. Usefulness:
- Systematics is crucial in various fields, such as evolutionary biology, ecology, conservation, and biogeography, as it helps in understanding the evolutionary history and patterns of organisms.
- Taxonomy is essential for identification, naming, and categorization of organisms, which aids in communication, research, and conservation efforts.

Therefore, while taxonomy focuses on classifying and naming organisms based on their observable characteristics, systematics goes beyond classification by incorporating the study of evolutionary relationships and patterns among organisms.