Open AccessOn the nature of global classification
Author(s) -
Mark L. Wheelis,
Otto Kandler,
Carl R. Woese
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.89.7.2930
Subject(s) - paraphyly , taxon , phylogenetic tree , function (biology) , representation (politics) , biology , heuristic , divergence (linguistics) , evolutionary biology , taxonomic rank , computer science , artificial intelligence , genetics , ecology , gene , political science , clade , linguistics , philosophy , politics , law
Molecular sequencing technology has brought biology into the era of global (universal) classification. Methodologically and philosophically, global classification differs significantly from traditional, local classificagtion. The need for uniformity requires that higher level taxa be defined on the molecular level in terms of universally homologous functions. A global classification should reflect both principal dimentions of the evolutionary process: genealogical relationship and quality and extent of divergence within a group. The ultimate purpose of a global classification is not simply information storage and retrieval; such a system should also as an heuristic representation of the evolutionary paradigm that exerts a directing influence on the course of biology. The global system envisioned allows paraphyletic taxa. To retain maximal phylogenetic information in these cases, minor notational amendments in existing taxonomic conventions should be adopted.