Abstract: Sept 14, 2005

Dr. Geoffrey Morse (Department of Entomology, University of Massachusetts)

"The Role of Species Paraphyly in Phylogenetics and Comparative Analysis."

Species paraphyly holds a somewhat controversial place in systematics. While it is a likely signature of peripatric, sympatric, parapatric, and to a lesser extent allopatric speciation, many proponents of phylogenetic species concepts argue that they cannot exist and that the parent and daughter species should be merged into one entity. This, however, ignores the complexity of the evolution of reproductive isolation in species-level phylogeny.

Funk and Omland, 2003, Species-level paraphyly and polyphyly: Frequency, causes, and consequences, with insights from animal mitochondrial DNA; Annual Review of Ecology demonstrated that in cases in which multiple specimens are sampled, incidents of paraphyly run nearly 25% in animal taxa. I present briefly how incorporating paraphyletic taxa into phylogenetic analysis can aid in comparative analyses, and how more detailed examination of these cases can provide important insight into the geography of speciation. I then hope to discuss how people feel about this topic, particularly where they might have concerns or see other benefits of this.