Taxonomic Treatment vs. Classification

[Thomas Lammers]

At 10:53 AM 5/1/03 -0400, you wrote:
>Does the term classification also include the synonymy lists and ranking
>preferences of an authority?
>
>I ask for two reasons.  One, is to ensure I use the correct term.  But the
>larger issue for me stems from trying to model multiple
>classifications.  My interpretation is that there are objective and
>subjective elements within taxonomy.   When I place two 'classifications'
>of the same taxonomic group (Sibley/Monroe Birds vs. Morony, Bock, Farand
>Birds) side by side they appear to be different interpretations of the
>same general pool of factual names.  I've heard folks refer to an instance
>of a name within a classification like this as "Author 'treated' Name X in
>the follow way."
>
>Classifications clearly differ for the same taxonomic group.  My second
>question therefore is:  How can classifications differ subjectively?
>My understanding is that classifications can differ on:
>
>1. Placement of a name within a hierarchical structure (or a cladistic
>structure)
>2. Choice of which name is the preferred form in the structure
>3. An opinion on the circumscription of a name which results in
>differences between groups of synonyms
>4. The choice of rank for a given name.  I've seen numbers and different
>rank names used for what appear to be the same taxon.

Only 1, 3, and 4 pertain to classification.  2 pertains to nomenclature, a
seperate consideration.  You can have two identical classifications, as to
circumscription, position, and rank of the groups, but in one, taxa are
named according to the ICBN and in the other according to the PhyloCode.

Classification and nomenclature are linked of course but distinct.


Thomas G. Lammers, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Curator of the Herbarium (OSH)
Department of Biology and Microbiology
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901-8640 USA

e-mail:       lammers at uwosh.edu
phone:      920-424-1002
fax:           920-424-1101

Plant systematics; classification, nomenclature, evolution, and biogeography
of the Campanulaceae s. lat.

Webpages:
http://www.uwosh.edu/departments/biology/Lammers.htm
http://www.uwosh.edu/departments/biology/herbarium/herbarium.html
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Resort/7156/lammers.html
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