Críticas ao "Tree Thinking": elucidando o significado das relações filogenéticas
Journal Title: Pesquisa e Ensino em Ciências Exatas e da Natureza - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
The "Tree Thinking" is regarded as the dominant methodology in current Systematic Biology. However, criticisms of the procedures carried out by it are diverse. Here the criticisms made by Fitzhugh regarding its philosophical basis and the consequences of such modifications are presented and defended. Thus, the present work aims to demonstrate that ‚Tree Thinking‛, as it has been used, is incomplete because it does not recognize that phylogenetic relationships are of the causal type previously summarized in an explanatory sketch (cladogram). In addition, to support such an argument, a discussion on the definition and objectives of Systematic Biology and ‚Tree Thinking‛ is provided. As a result, it is possible to observe confusion between classifying and systematizing the knowledge by those who follow "Tree Thinking". In addition, ‚Tree Thinking‛ fails to provide causal explanations regarding the origin and fixation of the characteristics studied. In this way, ‚Tree Thinking‛ can be considered an incomplete practice within Systematic Biology and, therefore, the application of the proposals of Fitzhugh are recommended.
Authors and Affiliations
Rafael Souza
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP253939
- DOI -
- Views 106
- Downloads 0
Lizard predation Tropidurus hispidus (Squamata, Tropiduridae) by false coral snake Oxyrhopus trigeminus (Squamata, Dipsadidae) in the Caatinga, in northeastern Brazil
The predation of lizards is rarely observed in the wild, and events involving snakes are scarcer still. Here we document in detail the predation of a lizard (Tropidurus hispidus (Spix, 1825)) by a snake (Oxyrhopus trigem...
Bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) from an area of Caatinga in southwestern Bahia, Brazil
The present study provides an inventory of the bat species recorded in the municipality of Caetité, in southwestern Bahia, Brazil. Sixty-eight individuals were captured, belonging to nine species and three families. The...
PECEN Publications in the Field of Biological Sciences: Present and Future
In 2017, Pesquisa e Ensino em Ciências Exatas e da Natureza/Research and Teaching in Exact and Natural Sciences (PECEN) received 28 manuscripts for evaluation and published 18 papers, all related to the field of Biologic...
INVASÃO BIOLÓGICA POR CRYPTOSTEGIA MADAGASCARIENSIS: UMA ABORDAGEM VOLTADA PARA ESTRESSES ABIÓTICOS
The introduction, accidental or deliberate, of exotic species by different vectors is currently a major global changes, resulting in a number of local and global problems. Although not all introductions of non-native spe...
Predation of Dermatonotus muelleri (Anura, Microhylidae) by Guira guira (Cuculiformes, Cuculidae) in the coastline of the Sergipe state, northeastern Brazil
Predation can drive significant effect upon the community structure. However, the observation and documentation of this ecological interaction is occasional and yet scarce for many groups. Our goal here is to report the...