Phyla are a major organizing principle used in classifying the living world. Phyla are the highest-level of taxonomic divisions in the Animal and Plant realms, and are typically divided into a number of lower-level taxonomic groups, such as classes and orders. This system of scientific classification is important as it helps to organize and identify organisms based on their similarities and differences. Phyla are also distinguished from other taxonomic rankings by their higher level of organization. While species and genera are concerned with individual organisms, phyla are concerned with the broader evolutionary relationships shared between groups. This allows scientists to more accurately identify how closely related two different species may be, and to then infer the ways in which each species may have evolved from a common ancestral organism. Finally, phyla are a useful tool in understanding the history of life. By tracing the ancestral lineages between phyla, scientists can gain insight into the various evolutionary paths that have led to the formation of new species. Furthermore, phyla can help elucidate the early development of the various branches of biology, such as conservation and genetics. As such, phyla remain an integral tool in furthering our understanding of the past and present of the living world.