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Updated: Oct 10, 2025
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A Practical Guide to Phylogenetics for Nonexperts
Published on: February 5, 2014
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The PhyloCode, types, ranks and monophyly: a response to Pickett
Michel Laurin1, Kevin de Queiroz2, Phil Cantino3
1Équipe "Formations squelettiques", FRE CNRS 8570, Evolution et diversité des systèmes ostéomusculaires, Case 7077, Université Paris 7, 2 place Jussieu, Paris 75005, France.
Cladistics : the International Journal of the Willi Hennig Society
|December 11, 2021
Summary
The PhyloCode aims to name clades, not paraphyletic groups, correcting misconceptions from a recent meeting report. It clarifies that ranks are not rejected and specifiers differ from types in phylogenetic nomenclature.
Area of Science:
- Systematic biology
- Taxonomy
- Phylogenetic nomenclature
Background:
- A recent report in Cladistics misinterprets discussions from the First International Phylogenetic Nomenclature Meeting.
- The report contains several misconceptions regarding the PhyloCode.
Discussion:
- The PhyloCode is intended for naming clades (monophyletic groups), not paraphyletic groups.
- Rejection of ranks is not a core principle of phylogenetic nomenclature.
- Specifiers in the PhyloCode function differently from types in traditional, rank-based nomenclature.
Key Insights:
- PhyloCode focuses on naming clades, addressing a key misunderstanding.
- Phylogenetic nomenclature does not fundamentally reject taxonomic ranks.
- The PhyloCode's use of specifiers is distinct from rank-based type systems.
Outlook:
- Clarifying these points is crucial for accurate understanding and application of the PhyloCode.
- Further discussion is needed to ensure correct implementation of phylogenetic nomenclature principles.
- Accurate interpretation of phylogenetic nomenclature will advance systematic biology.
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