Question

What is an artificial system of classification?

Answer 1

Hint: Classification is the arrangement of organisms based on different characters in order to study them easily. Artificial system was proposed for the first time by Theophrastus. It was a non-phylogenetic system of classification.

Complete answer:
The artificial system of classification was based on the presence or absence of few morphological or vegetative characteristics, that were used for grouping of organisms or differentiating one group of an organism from another. Characteristics like number and position of stamens, style, etc were taken into consideration.

Few examples of artificial systems proposed by different people:
-The first artificial system of classification was given by Theophrastus, which was done on the basis of habitat. He grouped plants into four categories, the herbs, the under shrubs, the shrubs, and the trees.
-Another artificial system was given by Aristotle for animals. He grouped animals into two groups, first was anaima (invertebrate organisms with the absence of blood) and second was enaima (vertebrates with the presence of red blood).
-Carolus Linnaeus proposed an artificial system of classification based on the presence or absence of some sexual characters like the total number of stamens and carpels. He grouped plants into 24 classes, out of which 23 belonged to phanerogamia (sex organs are visible) and one belonged to cryptogamia (hidden sex organs)
Certain drawbacks of artificial classification are as follows:
-Phylogenetic relationships were not considered.
-Only a limited number of morphological characters were used in classification.

Note: It should be noted that the first artificial system of classification was proposed by Theophrastus and it was based on vegetative characters but the classification system given by Linnaeus was based on sexual characters. The first phylogenetic system of classification was given by Eichler and Endlicher. Phylogenetic classification considers the evolutionary relationships among organisms.
Several other types of classification systems were produced by other scientists:
-The natural system of classification was introduced by John Ray. It was based on several taxonomic characters unlike the artificial system of classification.
-Another natural system of classification was proposed by Bentham and Hooker.