Taxonomists are scientists who study how different species relate to one another. They use various methods to figure this out, focusing on things like how organisms look, their genetics, and their roles in nature. Here are the main ways they do this:

1. Looking at Physical Features:

   • Taxonomists carefully observe the physical traits of organisms. This includes their shape, size, and color.
   • For example, they might group species based on specific features, like how many limbs they have or how they reproduce.

2. Studying Genetics:

   • Thanks to new technology, scientists can look at DNA to find similarities and differences between species.
   • Research shows that about 97% of DNA sequences can be similar across different species. This means they are closely related. For example, humans share about 98.8% of their DNA with chimpanzees.

3. Building Family Trees:

   • Taxonomists create family trees, called phylogenetic trees, which show how species are related over time.
   • They use both physical and genetic information to do this, often applying statistical models that help determine relationships based on shared features.

4. Considering the Environment:

   • Taxonomy also looks at how organisms fit into their ecosystems. This includes where they live and how they interact with other species.
   • For instance, species that live in similar environments or have similar roles in their habitat may be classified together, showing their unique traits.

5. Using Software:

   • Taxonomists use computer programs like R and Python to analyze complicated data. This helps them make strong conclusions about how species are related.

In summary, by using different methods like studying physical traits, genetics, and environmental roles, taxonomists piece together a complete picture of how species are connected. This work helps us understand the variety of life on Earth and how evolution shapes it.