Paraphyly and names

[Richard Pyle]

> If, e.g., we have a pectinate cladogram of species A,B,C,D,E and clades
> A+B and A+B+C+D are supported by many synapomorphies, we will gain the
> most informative taxa by grouping ((A+B)+(C+D))+E.
> ***********
> That depends on what kind of information you wish to represent.
> If you wish
> to deliver information about the history of the taxa, then no, your
> formulation is not more informative. If you wish to make some general
> subjective comment about the extent to which different groupings
> of species
> might resemble each other, then sure, your arrangement might work.

BINGO!!!!  You've just beautifully stated the point I have been trying to
make all along!

Aloha,
Rich