Carl Linnaeus introduced an Artificial System of Classification in his book Species Plantarum in 1753. This system was based on observable characteristics such as the number and arrangement of stamens and pistils in flowers. While this system was useful for identifying and classifying plants, it did not take into account evolutionary relationships between organisms.
The main characteristics of the artificial system of classification are as follows:
1. It is based on observable physical and morphological characteristics of plants and animals, such as colour, shape, size, etc.
2. It groups organisms based on their similarities and differences in superficial features, rather than taking into account their natural relationships or evolutionary history.
3. This system places unrelated organisms together and separates closely related organisms. Hence, it does not reflect the true evolutionary relationships between organisms.
4. It is often used for convenience in identifying and cataloguing organisms rather than for understanding their phylogeny.
5. The artificial system is limited in its application as it may not be universally applicable to all groups of organisms.
Examples:
Carl Linnaeus's classification of plants into 24 classes based on the number and arrangement of stamens and pistils.
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's classification of animals into 14 classes based on their external features and habitat.
The classification of minerals by Mohs' scale of hardness or colour.
Criticism and Drawbacks:
The artificial system of classification is criticized for its lack of scientific rigor and its failure to reflect the evolutionary relationships between organisms. It may lead to grouping unrelated organisms together based on superficial similarities and separating closely related organisms, which hinders the understanding of true biological relationships.
Advancements in the field of taxonomy and the development of more sophisticated classification systems, like the natural system and phylogenetic system, have largely replaced the artificial system. These newer systems consider evolutionary relationships, genetic characteristics, and other deeper scientific principles for a more accurate and comprehensive classification of living organisms.