Problems of Nomenclature (and perspective)

["Ken Kinman" <kinman@hotmail.com>]

    We've been having quite a wide-ranging discussion on these subjects (on 
the TAXACOM list) for almost two weeks.  Been discussing (once again) the 
continuing problems we are going to have face, and doing so from both 
theoretical and practical viewpoints.
    We've even been clearing up some semantic misunderstandings, and I've 
found that strict cladists are *slightly* more comfortable with the phrase 
"truncated clades" rather than "paraphyletic groups".  This helps to clarify 
(but not solve) our different viewpoints.  Been very helpful and 
interesting.
    On the issue of nomenclature, some people feel comfortable with the 
optimistic analogy that strict cladists can have their nomenclature 
"sandbox", and the eclecticists can have their separate, traditional 
"sandbox".  The main thing that seems to threaten this separate and peaceful 
coexistence is one which we have discussed on DML as well.  Namely, the 
perception that cladists are taking "sand" from our sandbox (taking 
traditional taxon names and redefining them, such as Reptilia).  Seems to be 
agreement that squabbles are inevitable, but we should try to minimize them 
where we can.
     Anyway, the discussions on DML (even between cladists) seem to show 
that the PhyloCodists have their work cut out for them, and it's kind of sad 
that formal nomenclature takes up so much time and energy.  I'll only say 
that I still think that the fewer formal names we have the better (i.e., 
formal name "inflation" is a serious problem).
    But I am certainly glad to see you guys pushing for eponymous 
definitions, and are trying to avoid the "Ornithosuchia" problem as much as 
possible.  It's really in all of our interests to make the best of a 
nomenclatural "mess", even if we don't agree on the best solutions or where 
all of this is going to end up.  But we only need to turn on the news 
(volcanoes, wars, and the rest) to put things in perspective.
    --- Have a good Sunday,
                  Ken Kinman

******************************************
> From: Dinogeorge@aol.com
> Subject: Re: Podokesauridae, Problems of Nomenclature Returned
> Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2002 04:22:07 EST
>
> In a message dated 1/20/02 3:17:01 AM EST, dino.hunter@home.com writes:
>
> << This is what pisses me off with cladist/cladisticks. It's screw the old
>  system, where making our own!!!
>  F*&()* this crap. >>
>
> Well, some people would call this "progress," eh?


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