PMID: 11911373Mar 26, 2002Paper

A review of criticisms of phylogenetic nomenclature: is taxonomic freedom the fundamental issue?

Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
Harold N Bryant, Philip D Cantino

Abstract

The proposal to implement a phylogenetic nomenclatural system governed by the PhyloCode), in which taxon names are defined by explicit reference to common descent, has met with strong criticism from some proponents of phylogenetic taxonomy (taxonomy based on the principle of common descent in which only clades and species are recognized). We examine these criticisms and find that some of the perceived problems with phylogenetic nomenclature are based on misconceptions, some are equally true of the current rank-based nomenclatural system, and some will be eliminated by implementation of the PhyloCode. Most of the criticisms are related to an overriding concern that, because the meanings of names are associated with phylogenetic pattern which is subject to change, the adoption of phylogenetic nomenclature will lead to increased instability in the content of taxa. This concern is associated with the fact that, despite the widespread adoption of the view that taxa are historical entities that are conceptualized based on ancestry, many taxonomists also conceptualize taxa based on their content. As a result, critics of phylogenetic nomenclature have argued that taxonomists should be free to emend the content of taxa without constrain...Continue Reading

References

Feb 19, 2000·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·M Härlin
Dec 16, 2000·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·M J Benton
Feb 27, 2001·American Journal of Botany·R G OlmsteadP A Reeves
Sep 7, 2001·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·J J Sepkoski
Jun 18, 2002·Systematic Biology·P D CantinoM S Lee
Jun 18, 2002·Systematic Biology·P C Sereno
Jan 1, 1994·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·K de Queiroz, J Gauthier

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jul 16, 2004·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Peter L ForeyAndrew B Smith
Oct 5, 2015·Trends in Parasitology·Jan VotýpkaVyacheslav Yurchenko
Nov 26, 2003·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·M S Y Lee
Jun 14, 2003·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Marcello RutaDonald L J Quicke
May 17, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Michael J Donoghue, Jacques A Gauthier
May 17, 2006·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Ronald SluysFrederick R Schram
Dec 19, 2012·Trends in Parasitology·Dmitri A MaslovJulius Lukeš
Feb 27, 2008·Systematic Biology·Philip D Cantino, Richard G Olmstead
Aug 26, 2011·Systematic Biology·Kevin de Queiroz, Michael J Donoghue
Oct 25, 2006·Systematic Biology·Yann Bertrand, Mikael Härlin
Dec 11, 2007·Systematic Biology·Mieczysław Wolsan
Aug 17, 2011·Nanotechnology·Liang GaoVengadesan Nammalvar
Oct 3, 2002·Evolution & Development·Michael I CoatesMarcello Rut

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.