zoology

Description

Compare and contrast traditional taxonomy and modern systematics. What is currently the dominant

theory in systematics? How will this change traditional taxonomy? Provide examples. If a taxonomist

constructs a rooted phylogenetic tree for a group of living species, the structure of the tree alone can

be used to distinguish hypotheses of monophyly vs. nonmonophyly for a particular subgroup. If mono-

phyly is rejected for a particular subgroup, tree topology alone cannot distinguish paraphyly from

polyphyly. What additional information is needed to make this distinction? On what subject do traditional evolutionary taxonomists and phylogenetic systematists often disagree? Explain and provide an example.