Editing Paleontology (section)

===Classification===
{{main|Evolutionary taxonomy}}
[[File:Tree of life by Haeckel.jpg|thumb|[[Ernst Haeckel]]'s "tree of life", illustrating an early understanding of how evolution relates to classification]]
The adoption of phylogenetics into paleontology may be one of the most significant changes in evolutionary biology. Biological classification through phylogenetics is able to [[quantitatively]] describe the relatedness of organisms through reconstructions of evolutionary trees. Phylogenetics was first applied to the fields of [[entomology]] and [[ichthyology]], winning favor after extensive debates. Phylogenetic systematics is able to test and retest hypotheses of classification, with results being displayed in the form of [[cladogram]]s. The broad adoption of phylogenetics also coincided with the advent of molecular biology, with computational analyses able to combine the two advancements and create phylogenetic trees based on the genetics of organisms. Classification systems have also shifted in favor of phylogenetics, with the [[Linnean classification]] scheme being recognized as an imperfect method of organization that resulted in the general abandonment of most [[taxonomic rank]]s due to their inconsistency and lack of true description of evolution.<ref name="kelley2013"/>

Further applications of classification in paleontology include more focused issues targeting the distinction between [[microevolution]] and macroevolution. Microevolution is the interpretation of how evolution impacts the ability of single individuals to survive over others, while macroevolution focuses on the ability of species to survive over others. While some viewpoints believe that microevolution and macroevolution are separate processes, with morphological change arising from speciation rather than gradual [[anagenesis]] of a population, others believe that all scales of individuals and species are affected by natural selection. The clearest examples of evolution into species arises from geographic isolation, but there is an ongoing discussion around the importance of biotic versus [[abiotic]] factors in evolution.<ref name="kelley2013"/>