Monotypic genera and the PhyloCode [was: Re: Lumping Spinosauridae Redux]

["Jonathan R. Wagner" <jonathan.r.wagner@mail.utexas.edu>]

It has been proposed informally (by me) that monotypic genus names NOT be 
converted under the PhyloCode. Such names could be used in an informal 
sense (with quotation marks, an asterisk, or with a note somewhere in the 
paper to that effect), basically as "placeholders" conferring access to the 
literature. This would also apply to quasi-monotypic genera, where all  of 
the included species are suspected of being synonymous, or where most of 
them are fragmentary, or where there is debate about the scope of the 
traditional genus.

I suspect that this is the best approach to take with the "spinosaurs." 
Better to avoid defining very exclusive clades now, and prevent the need 
for endless revision and appeals to the CPN later!

Jon