incertae sedis vs. sedes

[Peter Bostock]

Mario,

the phrase "incertae sedis" is in the genitive singular hence "of uncertain
position", so you would need to say "incertarum sedium" for a genitive
plural rendition.

I can't see any reason not to use the plural phrase if you consider it
applicable. Just a matter of grammar after all.

Peter

At 07:08 AM 05-08-04, Nico Mario Franz wrote:
>Hi Taxacomers:
>
>    I'm facing an issue of placing some genera into new subtribes. Can I
>just define those subtribes phylogenetically by pointing at two of
>their members' DNA bar codes?
>
>Just kidding.
>
>    Actually, I'm wondering when to use the term Incertae SedIS vs. the
>plural Incertae SedES? Incertae means something like "unsure" and
>sedis/sedes "seat(s)", right? If I placed, say, a single genus in a
>subfamily but had no tribal assignment for it, that ought to be a (list
>subfamily, then) Incertae sedIS. But what if I did that to 5 genera at
>once? Incertae Sedes? When is the plural adequate (if at all)? Does it
>(the plural) refer to one unsure place or (potentially) several unsure
>placings?
>
>I hope that's a worthwhile question and appreciate any clarification.
>
>Best,
>
>Nico

-------------------------------------------------------
Peter Bostock, Principal Botanist, Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane, Australia