Question

What is numerical taxonomy in microbiology?

Answer 1

Numerical taxonomy:

1. It is also known as Adansonian taxonomy or phenetics.
2. Robert Sokal and Peter Sneath defined numerical taxonomy.
3. It is a method of classifying organisms with the help of numerical methods.
4. In this type of taxonomy, each character is given equal weightage in creating new taxa.
5. The phenetic similarity is the basis of this classification.

Merits of numerical taxonomy:

1. Numerical taxonomy uses more numbers and better describes characters.
2. Numerical methods are more sensitive for delimiting taxa.

Demerit of numerical taxonomy:

If the characters selected are not enough, then statistical methods may not give the expected result.