simple explanation of a taxon concept

[Kennedy, Jessie]

Hi Sally

The simplest definition I could give (without going into detail of
representation) would be a scientific name as defined in a particular
publication.
For example,
Utricularia foliosa L. 
As defined in:
Taylor, P. 1989. The Genus Urticularia: A Taxonomic Monograph. Kew
Bulletin Additional Series XIV. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. London.  

The important issue being that the name is directly associated to at
least one and only one definition i.e. that where it was defined -
unless of course the database is capturing a new(revised) definition of
a concept in which case I would hope that it contain a good unambiguous
description of the concept as they see it - otherwise they should refer
to a defined concept they agree with)

Jessie



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Taxonomic Databases Working Group GUID Project [mailto:TDWG-
> GUID at LISTSERV.NHM.KU.EDU] On Behalf Of Sally Hinchcliffe
> Sent: 04 November 2005 16:26
> To: TDWG-GUID at LISTSERV.NHM.KU.EDU
> Subject: simple explanation of a taxon concept
> 
> Hi all,
> can any of you people point me towards a web resource where one of
> our data managers (specialising in economic botany) can have this
> question answered:
> 
> I must admit I'm not altogether sure what is meant by the term taxon
> "concepts" (is there a simple explanation?)
> 
> I'm circulating Donald's questions around the various Kew staff who
> are involved in databases and some of them for some reason don't seem
> to have kept up with the recent fevered debate on TCS-LC and other
> fora
> 
> Thanks
> *** Sally Hinchcliffe
> *** Computer section, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
> *** tel: +44 (0)20 8332 5708
> *** S.Hinchcliffe at rbgkew.org.uk
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