[CPN] next set of CBM-related proposals

[Mike Keesey]

On Sun, Oct 28, 2012 at 3:20 PM, de Queiroz, Kevin <deQueirozK at si.edu> wrote:
> I do not favor Mike's proposed revision (of the definition of "taxon") for the following reason:  some people view clades/higher taxa not as monophyletic groups of organisms but as monophyletic groups of species.  Thus, saying that a taxon is a group of organisms is like saying that a family is a group of cells, which is true in a sense but emphasizes the wrong level of organization.  The proposed wording "a group of organisms or species" is designed to be neutral with respect to the question of whether a taxon is a monophyletic group or organisms or a monophyletic group of species, which is the reason that it has to mention both.

I almost sent it as, "A group of organisms or populations...".
-- 
T. Michael Keesey
http://tmkeesey.net/