Re: Cladospeak (Mammalia, Crurotarsi)

[Dinogeorge@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/3/01 2:56:59 PM EST, mbonnan@hotmail.com writes:

<< A synapomorphy, by definition, is "a shared, derived, group-defining 
trait."  >>

Whoops. I thought groups were >defined< by phyletic relationship, not by 
characters. There are no "group-defining traits" any more. Groups may be 
>diagnosed< by characters, but not defined by them. Unless of course you're 
still supporting the idea of character-based groups...