Monophyly or paraphyly--the taxonomy of Holcoglossum (Aeridinae: Orchidaceae).

ABSTRACT: Recently, there have been a lot of intense debates about the acceptance/rejection of paraphyletic groups in biological classification. On the one hand, evolutionary classification states that similarity and common descent are two criteria for biological classification and paraphyletic groups are natural units of biological classification. On the other hand, cladistic classification considers that common descent is the only criterion in biological classification and monophyly should be strictly adhered to. Holcoglossum is used herein as a case to illustrate this problem. Although Holcoglossum is a small orchid genus of less than 20 species, there is little consensus about its generic circumscription since it was established, which leads to confusion in taxonomic treatments in the Aerides-Va

SUBMITTER: Xiang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3522637 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature