1. The classification and study of organisms based on the structure and behavior of their cells, particularly chromosome characteristics.
Usage: technical; biology

Examples

• Cytotaxonomy has revealed important relationships between plant species that were not apparent from morphological features alone.
• The researcher used cytotaxonomy to distinguish between closely related insect populations by examining their chromosome patterns.
• Advances in cytotaxonomy have helped scientists understand the evolutionary history of various animal groups.
• Cytotaxonomy relies heavily on microscopic examination of chromosomes during cell division.
• The field of cytotaxonomy combines traditional taxonomy with modern cellular biology techniques.