An algebraic analysis of cladistic characters

Cladistic characters are used by many numerical axonomists in the estimation of evolutionary history. We make use of semilattice theory to give an algebraic formulation of the ideas involved in this process and to give rigorous proofs of theorems which justify certain operational procedures in current use. In particular, we discuss certain compatibility tests for a collection of charactersPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/21663/1/0000050.pd