Classification as an expression of phylogenetic relationships

Abstract

the possibilities of their expression in a hierarchical classification are explored. Concepts of relationships—either common-ancestor relationships or ancestor-descendant relationships, are precisely and completely expressible in classification, if descendants rather than ances-tors are grouped together. Common-ancestor relationships are more efficiently expressed, and are advantageous for groups of unknown or doubtful relationship. [Phylogeny; classifi-cation]. According to historical convention, the concept of phylogeny dates from Darwin, and the principle of hierarchical classifi-cation from Linnaeus. The relation be-tween phylogeny and classification has been discussed numerous times since. I will talk about two aspects of phylogeny and two aspects of classification. To my knowledge these aspects have never bee