rankless nomenclature

[Thomas Lammers]

At 09:01 AM 10/12/00 -1000, Richard Pyle wrote:

>Why can't
>Lepidopterists engage in PhyloCode "numenclature", while researchers
>interested in other less completely known insect groups focus more on
>Linnaean nomenclature?

And when USDA, F&WS, TNC, or any other user-group wants to do ANYTHING with
that organism, what name will it take?  When textbooks are written, when
field guides are produced, when we lecture to the Sierra Club, what names
will we use?  Now, instead of one set of names and their synonyms, we will
have TWO sets of names and their synonyms.  Please tell me how such a
situation will reduce confusion and name changes.

This is not a live-and-let-live scenario.  The PhyloCode will impede
systematics in its mission.  It is not a good thing for anyone.


Thomas G. Lammers, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor and Curator of the Herbarium (OSH)
Department of Biology and Microbiology
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901-8640 USA

e-mail:       lammers at uwosh.edu
phone:      920-424-7085
fax:           920-424-1101

Plant systematics; classification, nomenclature, evolution, and
biogeography of the Campanulaceae s. lat.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Today's mighty oak is yesterday's nut that stood his ground."
                                                 -- Anonymous