Re: Ghost lineage

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>To: paleonet@nhm.ac.uk
>
>How far we can include ghost lineages in a phylogenetic tree and still
>keep an analysis consistent without arguing for too much scenarios???
>
>Ghost lineages employed here sensu SMITH (1994)
>
>SMITH, A.B.S. 1994. Systematics and the fossil record. Blackwell Sci. Publ.

Barring some radical scenarios (for example, Pan evolving from
Australopithecus or Homo; Monotremata from therian mammals; or independant
creation), some degree of ghost lineages must be accepted.  For example,
how else do we incorporate modern taxa without hard parts into a
phylogenetic system, without accepting the fact that some of these may have
had a very long, but unrecorded, history?

        	        	
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.    	       	       	       tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov
Vertebrate Paleontologist in Exile      	    Phone:  	703-648-5280
U.S. Geological Survey  	       	       	      FAX:    	703-648-5420
Branch of Paleontology & Stratigraphy
MS 970 National Center
Reston, VA  22092
U.S.A.