Systematics and Naming Flashcards
Systematics
The science that describes, classifies, and identifies evolutionary relationships of organisms.
Taxonomy
Science that consists of identifying, naming, and classifying species.
Phylogenetics
Evolutionary history of organisms.
Classification
Hierarchical grouping of taxa into ranks that are more and more inclusive.
Phylogenetic tree
Representation of genealogical relationships.
Synapomorphy
Shared character that indicates a common evolutionary origin.
Character
Any feature that varies among species and may be transmitted through evolution.
Plesiomorphy
Ancestral character.
Paraphyletic group
Taxon that includes an ancestor but not all its descendants.
Polyphyletic group
Group that does not include the most recent common ancestor of all its members.
Holotype
Specimen designated by author as nomenclatural type.
Isotype
Duplicate of the holotype.
Paratype
Specimens cited in original publication other than holotype/isotype.
Lectotype
Specimen selected from original material to serve as type when do holotype was designated or it becomes missing.
Neotype
Specimen selected to serve as the type specimen if the material on which the name of the taxon is based is missing.
Diagnosis
Unique characters used to distinguish from similar taxa.
Synonym
Rejected name due to misapplication or difference in taxonomic judgement.
Basionym
Specific epithet that has priority and is retained when transferred to a different taxon.
Homonym
One of multiple identical names based on different types, only one of which can be legitimate.
Tautonym
Illegitimate binomial in which generic name and specific epithet are the same.
Autonym
Automatically created name for infrageneric or infraspecifc taxa.
