Molecular taxonomy: on way out?

[Robert Mesibov]

Jason de Koning wrote:

"I was referring to the pattern versus process distinction between
molecular phylogenetics and molecular evolution, where in studies of
the latter kind a phylogeny may be assumed in order to test rates of
molecular evolution for the purposes of examining what forces drove
molecular divergence (unlike in molecular phylogenetics studies where
one may use the same models but be chiefly interested in estimating
the phylogeny)."

Can you expand on this? In testing rates of molecular evolution, do you
assume a phylogeny with or without homoplasy? If with, do you make
assumptions about where and how frequently it occurs?
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Dr Robert Mesibov
Honorary Research Associate, Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
and School of Zoology, University of Tasmania
Home contact: PO Box 101, Penguin, Tasmania, Australia 7316
(03) 6437 1195

Tasmanian Multipedes
http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/zoology/multipedes/mulintro.html
Spatial data basics for Tasmania
http://www.geog.utas.edu.au/censis/locations/index.html
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