Surplus time for Botanists

[Richard Jensen]

I respectfully suggest that those wondering why "botanists took so long
to take to phylogenetics" go back and read *Syst. Bot.*, *Taxon*, and
*Syst. Zool.* over the past 25 years.  Botanists were certainly aware of,
and willing to experiment with, phylogenetics.  However, in general, they
were much less willing to buy into it wholesale without first considering
all the ramifications.  Perhaps, as many have noted, because of an
*apparent* (perhaps real) much higher level of reticulation and homoplasy
in typical botanical data sets.

I wonder if botanists have more free time, or if this reflects their
desire to really think things through before jumping aboard the train?

Cheers,
Dick Jensen

Richard J. Jensen      |   E-MAIL: rjensen at saintmarys.edu
Dept. of Biology       |   TELEPHONE: 219-284-4674
Saint Mary's College   |   FAX: 219-284-4716
Notre Dame, IN  46556  |