<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">I'm afraid I've reached the point where I'll approve virtually anything in order to get this thing done and out.<div><br></div><div>So, I'll vote to approve the suggested changes.<br><div><br></div><div>That said, I have an objection that may simply reflect my misuse of the term "taxon" for, oh, say, my whole career.</div><div><br></div><div>Here is the proposed change:</div><div><br></div><div>    <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Times">Current<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Times; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;background:#FDFEFF">1.1.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Times;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;background:#FDFEFF"> The groups of organisms whose names are governed by this code are called taxa (singular: taxon). Taxa may be clades or species, but only clade names are governed by this code.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family:Times">Proposed<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Times; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:black;background:#FDFEFF">1.1.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Times;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;background:#FDFEFF"> The groups of organisms or species considered potential recipients of scientific names are called taxa (singular: taxon). The only taxa whose names are governed by this code are clades.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">  </span>However, species, whose names are governed by the traditional codes, are used to define clade names in this code.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-family: Times"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">In my mind, a clade is a clade, whether anyone names it, or even knows it exists.  BUT, a clade, or any other entity (species, nonmonophyletic group, whatever) is only a taxon once it has been given a name.  So, referring to things that are "potential recipients of scientific names" as taxa doesn't make sense to me. </p><div>Dick</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><div><div>On Feb 21, 2013, at 11:06 AM, Philip Cantino wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div>Dear CPN members,<br><br>Another left over from last year's discussions is use of the term "taxon" in the PhyloCode.  In a Sept. 29 message, David M. suggested that "taxon" be defined differently than it currently is.  He also suggested that many of the uses of "taxon" and "taxa" in the code could be omitted or replaced with "clade" and "clades".  Kevin and I agree with David's suggestion in general but not in every particular.  <br><br>I have attached two files to this message.  The one that I encourage you to read first is "Taxon and Art. 1.1.docx", which provides the current wordings of Art. 1.1 and the glossary definition of "taxon", and and our proposed new wordings.  The new wordings will bring the article and the glossary entry into full agreement, which is not currently the case.  The new wording also makes it clearer that the term "taxon" has a general meaning in systematics that extends beyond this code.<br><br>The file called "Taxon"-related changes.doc includes the entire code (vers. 4c) with scattered minor wording changes, most of which relate to the word "taxon".  You will need to turn on the Track Changes function of Word to see the changes in this document.<br><br>Please look these two documents over soon and send your comments to the listserv.   Let's tentatively set Feb. 26 (next Tuesday) as a target date to call a vote unless substantial discussion develops before then.  If anyone would like more time, please let me know.<br><br><br>Phil<br><br><br><span><Taxon and Art. 1.1.docx></span><span><"Taxon"-related changes.doc></span>_______________________________________________<br>CPN mailing list<br><a href="mailto:CPN@listserv.ohio.edu">CPN@listserv.ohio.edu</a><br>http://listserv.ohio.edu/mailman/listinfo/cpn<br></div></blockquote></div><br><div apple-content-edited="true"> <div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div>Richard Olmstead</div><div>Professor of Biology and Herbarium Curator, Burke Museum</div><div>Department of Biology</div><div>Box 355325</div><div>University of Washington</div><div>Seattle, WA 98195</div><div><br></div><div>office: 423 Hitchcock Hall</div><div>phone: 206-543-8850</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"> </div> <br></div></div></body></html>

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