RE: Hadrosaur nomenclature

["R. Irmis" <rbi@dana.ucc.nau.edu>]

<<A) The reasoning behind synonymizing Brachylophosaurus and Maiasaura is
ultimately arbitrary, as is any decision regarding the generic disposition
of species forming a monophyletic group (as Dr. Holtz alludes). I am not
sure as to how "information on population and ontogenetic variation,
distribution, [...] preservation, sexual dimorphism, and the like" would be
brought to bear on the question, although these data certainly should be
considered in the discussion of how to recognize *species* in the fossil
record. As far as these data might apply to the recognition of clades they
apply to genera. Generally I'd say they don't, except in the species-level
work preliminary to phylogenetic analysis. I do not see that any special
consideration should be given to those names considered to be of "genus"
rank, since, as Dr. Holtz points out, there are no guidelines anywhere for
genera (apart from Paul's "rule of thumb" in _PDW_). One has but to research
the species and genera of Foraminifera to feel confident in that
assertion.>>

Ah, the wonders of paleontology.  I support most of Phylocode, except
getting rid of Linnean binomials.  Now, I know what your saying, genera are
just as arbitrary as other clades.  I realize this, but if you think about
it, so are species, especially in paleontology.  Even with extant taxa, the
standard definition of species does not always work out.  The fact is, life
exists in a continuum, and we can never divide it into entirely monophyletic
clades, at any level except with individuals.  This problem is compounded
with fossil taxa, where we usually only have bones to deal with.  If you
look at modern taxa, there are some separate species that are
indistinguishable through osteology, and others vary widely.  Therefore, how
can we even define species in fossil taxa?  If we get rid of genus, why not
get rid of species as well?  Heck, we could create phylogenies where each
separate specimen is its own OTU; wouldnt that be fun?  To create useful
phylogenies, at some point we need to conserve a clade.  Since getting rid
of genera would create the largest taxonomic mess in the history of biology,
I would advocate conserving the Linnean binomial.

Regards,
Randall Irmis