What type of classification groups organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary history?

Phylogenetic classification groups organisms based on their shared characteristics as well as their evolutionary relationships, which are often represented in a phylogenetic tree. This approach takes into account genetic, morphological, and behavioral traits to create a lineage that reflects how species have evolved over time from common ancestors.

It allows biologists to infer connections and divergence among species, highlighting the evolutionary pathways that lead to current diversity. This method is particularly useful in understanding how traits have evolved and how closely related different organisms are based on their evolutionary past.

In contrast, phenetic classification primarily emphasizes the overall similarity between organisms, often based on morphological traits, without considering their evolutionary relationships. Hierarchical classification organizes organisms into nested groups but does not inherently focus on their evolutionary connections. Natural classification attempts to group organisms in a way that reflects their natural relationships but may not always accurately depict their evolutionary history in the same comprehensive way that phylogenetic classification does.