Message 2004-06-0004: Fwd: When The PhyloCode is Implemented ...

Mon, 07 Jun 2004 08:53:59 -0400

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Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 08:53:59 -0400
From: Philip Cantino <cantino@ohiou.edu>
To: phylocode@ouvaxa.cats.ohiou.edu
Subject: Fwd: When The PhyloCode is Implemented ...

Mike Taylor asked:
>I have a question of my own.  What will actually _happen_ on 1st
>January 200n?  Apart from the global street-party, I mean.
>
>What specifically will change when the PhyloCode is "implemented"?  I
>assume that people already pay heed to the PhyloCode principles when
>formulating clade definitions and names.
>
>

Actually, implementation of the PhyloCode will be a watershed event 
in the history of phylogenetic nomenclature.  All nomenclatural codes 
have an official starting point.  The implementation of the PhyloCode 
will be the starting point for phylogenetic nomenclature as governed 
by this code.  There is no grandfather clause.  Phylogenetic 
definitions published before implementation of the PhyloCode do not 
count as established (Art. 7.1) and thus do not compete for 
precedence (Art. 12).  Although definitions published to date follow 
PhyloCode principles to varying degrees, many (probably most) do not 
follow all of the rules and therefore wouldn't qualify as established 
even if there were a grandfather clause.  Definitions published 
before implementation might best be viewed as the product of a phase 
in which we (collectively) have been experimenting with phylogenetic 
nomenclature.  The lessons that have been learned in the process have 
helped to refine the rules of the PhyloCode.

The implementation of the PhyloCode will coincide with the 
publication of a volume that will contain (but not be limited to) 
phylogenetic definitions presented at the Paris meeting.  The 
definitions in this volume will be the first ones established under 
the PhyloCode.  The editors of the volume will be Kevin de Queiroz, 
Jacques Gauthier, and myself, but many people will author names and 
definitions.  In addition to the participants in the Paris meeting, 
other people who are unable to attend but who have expertise in 
particular groups will be asked to submit definitions.  This will be 
an opportunity to republish (and, in many cases, refine) definitions 
that were published before implementation of the PhyloCode.

Phil

-- 
Philip D. Cantino
Professor and Associate Chair
Department of Environmental and Plant Biology
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701-2979
U.S.A.

Phone: (740) 593-1128; 593-1126
Fax: (740) 593-1130
e-mail: cantino@ohio.edu

  

Feedback to <mike@indexdata.com> is welcome!