PHYLOGENETIC CLASSIFICATION AND THE DEFINITION OF TAXON NAMES

Taxon names should be founded on phylogenetic relationships, and the n ames defined on the basis of common ancestry. Definitions based on evo lutionary relationships relate the names to a phylogeny, and while the inclusiveness of the name may change with changing hypotheses of mono phyly, the actual name remains unaltered. The limits of the name are f ixed by pointing to a monophyletic clade, where group membership is de termined by the relationship to this clade, and not to subjective deci sions of taxon delineations. Since phylogenetic definitions unambiguou sly connect the name to a specified clade, and not to a type, the conv entional type concept becomes superfluous. We furthermore consider the Linnean categories poorly suited to convey the information in evoluti onary trees, and suggest that these categories are abandoned.