ZL 2011 – Biosystematics

Lecture 2
Biosystematic Data/Taxonomic Characters

Prof. Chandima D. Dangalle

Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of Colombo

 Taxonomic Characters
Taxonomic characters are diagnostic characters that can be
used to diagnose species/ taxa, differentiate taxa and assess
their relationships to construct evolutionary trees.
All characters cannot be used as taxonomic characters. A
suitable character has to occur widely across species and
should have enough variation to distinguish between species.
A wide variety of characters are used in taxonomy.
- Morphological characters: Meristic characters,
Morphometric characters, Qualitative characters
- Molecular characters
- Physiological characters
- Ecological characters - Geographical characters
- Ethological characters

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
 Meristic Characters
Meristic characters are countable characters such as the
number of vertebrae, number of scales, number of teeth on
premaxillary bone. They are discontinuous/ discrete. They
are clearly definable and stable across a wide range of body
sizes. They can be analyzed using statistical procedures.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
 Morphometric Characters
Measurable characters – Body length, Diameter of eye, Wing
span. It can also be a ratio. Pronotal Index (PI) = Pronotal
length/ Pronotal width.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Morphometric characters are continuous. Therefore, they can
differ according to the instrument used and skill of the
person. Further, the measurement may vary according to
whether the specimen is alive or preserved (shrunk).
They can be obtained for both external and internal
characters (skeletal, visceral, muscles). Taking skeletal
characters are more accurate.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
 Qualitative Characters
Qualitative characters are characters that are visible.
Traditional classification systems were mainly based on them.
Some qualitative characters have a binary state. Feathers
absent or present. Number of eyes 2 or more than 2. However,
some qualitative characters are multi-state. Plant leaf shape.
Some can be described by one or two words, while some
require lengthy descriptions.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Internal qualitative characters
Also known as anatomical characters. Eg.: Skull structures of
vertebrates, plant epidermis.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Embryological Characters
Embryological characters are characters associated with
gametes, gamete development, fertilization, cleavage patterns
(holoblastic cleavage – complete cleavage seen in eggs with a
high amount of yolk, meroblastic cleavage – partial cleavage
seen in eggs with a low amount of yolk).
These characters are considered more suitable for taxonomic
studies as they are stable and less prone to stress conditions.
Embryological characters are used to solve taxonomic
relationships at family, genus and species levels, but not
suitable for order and class levels.
The division of Angiosperms to Monocotyledons and
Dicotyledons are based on embryological characters.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Cytological Characters
Characters associated with cells. In algal forms cell structure
is used as a taxonomic character. The green algae,
Chlamydomonas, is divided into 30 species using cytological
characters.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Chromosome characters – Chromosome number, size, shape,
position of centromere, etc. All characters of a chromosome
set known as “Karyotype”. Diagram showing chromosome set
known as “Idiogram”.
A karyotype showing large differences between small and
large chromosomes and with fewer metacentric
chromosomes is an “Asymmetric Karyotype”. Karyotype
having small differences between small and large
chromosomes and with a higher number of metacentric
chromosomes known as a “Symmetric Karyotype”.
Large chromosomes, small number, symmetric karyotype –
Primitive status.
Small chromosomes, high number, asymmetric karyotype -
Advanced status.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of
Colombo
 Molecular Characters
Molecular characters are considered as more suitable for
taxonomy as they provide more information than
morphological characters and as it is much easier to
determine homology in molecular characters. Homology can
be defined as similar characters in organisms due to a
common ancestor.
DNA sequences
DNA restriction sites
Allozymes
Microsatellites

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Physiological Characters
• Metabolic Characters
Used in the separation of closely related species.
Enzymatic activity – Anabolism which refers to building of
complex molecules and Catabolism which refers to breaking
down of complex molecules to simple molecules.
Gram positive and gram negative bacteria.
Aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

• Body Secretions
Chemotaxonomy.
Body fluids, hormones, nitrogenous excretory products.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Ecological Characters
• Habitat Characters
Habitat type and characters can influence variation of species.
Snails and mussels living in rivers rich in lime deposits tend
to have thicker shells with a different shape.
• Variation of food types
Important in parasite classification – Host types. Monogenetic
parasite – Requires hosts of only one species (Ancyclostoma
duodenale). Digenetic parasite – Requires hosts of two species
(Fasciola hepatica).
Herbivores, carnivores, omnivores
• Seasonal variations
Plumage colour of birds, Antler development in certain
mammals.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Geographical Characters

Variation of organisms based on latitude, longitude and

elevation.
Sympatric and Allopatric species
Sympatric - The formation of two or more descendant species
from a single ancestral species all occupying the same
geographical location.
Allopatric – The formation of species by the separation of a
geographical area by a physical or geographical barrier such
as a river, mountain range, ocean.
Size and colour differences in honey bees according to
geographical location.

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Ethological Characters

Ethological characters are behavioural characters.

Courtship behavior – This behavior is usually species specific.
Therefore, used to differentiate between species. Eg. Parasitic
Hymenoptera.
Nest building behavior in birds – Use of salivary mucus as an
attachment material, presence of feathers and vegetation in
nests and degree of nest aggregation are used as taxonomic
characters. Swifts are the only birds that use salivary mucus
as an attachment material.
Dog behavior – Excessive barking, Snapping, Obedience,
Aggression, Playfulness

Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of

Colombo
Dr. Chandima Dangalle - University of
Colombo