Taxonomy vs. Phylogeny
For novice biologists, taxonomy and phylogenetics are difficult concepts to understand and keep separate. This confusion is made worse because modern taxonomic methods make use of molecular tools. Write an essay that contrasts taxonomy to phylogenetics and explains how both disciplines are important to our understanding of species and evolution. Your essay should include a description of taxonomy and phylogenetics, as well as a detailed explanation about how information is represented in a phylogenetic tree or a cladogram. It may help you to frame your argument if you start by constructing a paragraph for yourself that says: Before reading my paper, my reader will think X. After reading my paper, my reader will think y. Your summary should be typed in Times New Roman 12-pt font and be one-and-a-half-spaced with 1 margins.