Message 2004-10-0021: Re: Panstems

Sat, 11 Sep 2004 17:05:50 -0400

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Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 17:05:50 -0400
From: [unknown]
To: phylocode@ouvaxa.cats.ohiou.edu
Subject: Re: Panstems

The problem with using standard affixes for ALL of the different clas=
ses =3D
of names is that this practice would result in the disruption of cont=
inuity=3D
 for many, many names.  In the case of total clades, one could argue =
that =3D
most names that have been associated with these clades have also been=
 =3D
associated with other clades.  Thus, the names could be defined as =
=3D
referring to the other clades, and the Pan- names could be used for t=
he =3D
total clades, without eliminating any widely known names.  For exampl=
e, =3D
the name Synapsida could be associated with the clade stemming from t=
he =3D
species in which the synapsid apomorphy originated, and PanMammalia c=
ould =3D
used for the total group (which includes Synapsida) of Mammalia (used=
 for =3D
the crown).  Thus, both preexisting names (Synapsida and Mammalia) ar=
e =3D
retained.  However, if ALL of the different types of clades are given=
 =3D
names with standard affixes (e.g., PanMammalia, ApoSynapsida, ApoMamm=
alia, =3D
AcroMammalia), then many preexisting names (e.g., Synapsida, Mammalia=
) =3D
won't be used for any clades, let alone for the clades to which they =
have =3D
traditionally referred.  This disrupts stability/continuity and thus =
goes =3D
against one of the fundamental principles of the PhyloCode.

Kevin
11 Sep 2004

>>> "Jaime A. Headden" <qilongia@yahoo.com> - 9/11/04 4:16 PM >>>
Kevin de Queiroz (Dequeiroz.Kevin@NMNH.SI.EDU) wrote:

<Agreed.  That's why I voted for adopting the Pan- convention as a ge=
neral
rule.  On the other hand, I don't think it's necessary to have a stan=
dard
affix for names associated with every type of definition (node, branc=
h,
apomoprhy, crown, stem, etc.).>

  I have yet to hear a response to what I would think are valid criti=
ques
of this ideology. If pan-stems get affixes, why not other clades? Wha=
t is
the philosophy that would even come close to becoming a mandate for
taxonomy in the Phylocode that requires panstems to have Pan- prefixe=
s,
but not any other form of clade? If one, why NOT the others? I have s=
een
NO argument that has argued why we should have a stem affix for a sin=
gle
clade, ignoring the utility of the others. This is not an argument FO=
R
further affixes, but a curiousity about why it is even trying to be
required for ONE type of clade only.

  Cheers,

=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D=3D3D
Jaime A. Headden

  Little steps are often the hardest to take.  We are too used to mak=
ing =3D
leaps in the face of adversity, that a simple skip is so hard to do. =
 We =3D
should all learn to walk soft, walk small, see the world around us ra=
ther =3D
than zoom by it.

"Innocent, unbiased observation is a myth." --- P.B. Medawar (1969)


=09=3D09
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