The definitions of semaphoronts, species, and supraspecific

[Kirk Fitzhugh]

At 08:27 AM 4/29/04 -0700, Tom Parker wrote:
     As literature background, reference to the book: Species. the Units of
     Biodiversity

'Units' of biodiversity? Hmm, this is exactly the problem which has prevented 
cogent treatment of the matter from a realist perspective. The fundamental 
ontological mistake associated with many species definitions is that there is 
the assumption that species are individuals, entities, things, etc. One does 
not experience species, they experience organisms. This is why I point out in 
the slide show that 'species' can only be construed as explanatory hypotheses.

Kirk
-----------------------------------------------------
J. Kirk Fitzhugh, Ph.D.
Associate Curator of Polychaetes
Invertebrate Zoology Section
Research & Collections Branch
Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History
900 Exposition Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90007

Phone: 213-763-3233
FAX: 213-746-2999
e-mail: kfitzhug at nhm.org
http://www.nhm.org/research/annelida/index.html
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