Advances in plant taxonomy: integrating morphological, chemotaxonomic, molecular, and phylogenetic approach

Abstract

This review explores the integration of diverse methodologies in plant taxonomy, including morphological, chemotaxonomic, molecular, and phylogenetic approaches, to enhance species identification and classification. Traditional morphological traits, while foundational, often struggle to differentiate closely related or cryptic species. Chemotaxonomy, based on plant chemical profiles,
provides additional data through secondary metabolites to better distinguish such species. Molecular techniques like DNA barcoding and next-generation sequencing (NGS) offer precise genetic data that complement morphological and chemical analyses, addressing challenges such as morphological plasticity and hybridization. Phylogenetic methods further clarify plant evolutionary relationships,
resolving complex taxonomic issues such as species complexes and polyphyletic groups. By integrating these approaches, taxonomists have improved the accuracy of species identification and deepened our understanding of plant diversity and evolution, ultimately advancing conservation efforts and biodiversity assessments.