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Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 09:55:33 -0500
From: de Queiroz Kevin <Dequeiroz.Kevin@NMNH.SI.EDU>
To: phylocode@ouvaxa.cats.ohiou.edu, igor_pavlinov@zmmu.msu.ru
Subject: Re: RE: a comment on ancestor
The application of names to different sets of organisms/species in the context of different phylogenetic (or, in general, taxonomic) hypotheses occurs both in phylogenetic and in traditional nomenclature. So phylogenetic nomenclature is similar to traditional nomenclature in this respect. Moreover, several authors have argued that this sort of instability is not only necessary but desirable. Stability of nomenclature that results from stability of taxonomic hypotheses means that our views about relationships are no longer changing. The stagnation implied by this state of affairs (assuming that we will never know everything about phylogeny) has lead some authors to adopt the slogan "stability is ignorance." Kevin Kevin de Queiroz Division of Amphibians & Reptiles Smithsonian Institution P.O. Box 37012 NHB, Room W203, MRC 162 Washington, D.C. 20013-7012 Voice: 202-357-2212 FAX: 202-786-2979 E-mail: dequeiroz.kevin@nmnh.si.edu >>> "Igor Ya. Pavlinov" <igor_pavlinov@zmmu.msu.ru> - 2/10/04 1:15 AM >>> > The method or methods used to infer phylogenetic relationships is a > taxonomic rather than a nomenclatural issue; therefore, it is outside of the > jurisdiction of the PhyloCode. Consequently, systematists are free to use > whatever methods they like (even UPGMA!) to infer phylogenetic > relationships; however, some methods (such as UPGMA) will make it more > difficult for them to satisfy other requirements of phylogenetic nomenclatue > (such as providing a diagnosis), and their use may affect how widely the > conclusions are accepted by other researchers. > THAT'S JUST WHAT SAID AT THE VARY BEGINNING OF CURRENT DISCUSSIAN: APPLYING PHYLOCODE WITH ITS STRICT DIFINITION OF OBJECTS TO BE NAMED VALIDLY SEEMS TO LEAD TO GREAT INSTABILITY OF NOMENCLATURE. > Kevin > > > Kevin de Queiroz > Division of Amphibians & Reptiles > Smithsonian Institution > P.O. Box 37012 > NHB, Room W203, MRC 162 > Washington, D.C. 20013-7012 > Voice: 202-357-2212 > FAX: 202-786-2979 > E-mail: dequeiroz.kevin@nmnh.si.edu