Re: Re[2]: Linnean Classification and Creationism

[Stan Friesen <swf@ElSegundoCA.ATTGIS.COM>]

From: "Cunningham, Betty" <bcunning@nssi.com>    
 > DinoGeorge said:
 >      
 >> I have a problem with the word "exist," which was first brought 
 >> home to me when I discussed the idea of "species" with a cladist 
 >> He explained that when a species speciates, it "ceases to exist," and 
 >> is thus not a paraphyletic taxon.

Yep, that is indeed one of the species concepts used by cladists.

It has the rather odd effect that the species to which an individual
belongs can *change* during its lifetime!

It also means that a new "species" "exists" that is identical in all
respects to a previous, now "extinct" species, *including* reproductive
interfertility (since it contains many of the *same* individuals)!
 > ----------------------
 > No, stop, my head hurts.
 > 
 >   erk, this means I'm not a Homo Sapiens anymore?  What would 
 > this guy claim is current? 

What species has split off from Homo sapiens to make it cease to exist?

Seriously, this problem *would* occur if Homo sapiens split into two
species some time in the future, but it is NOT currently the case.
> 

swf@elsegundoca.attgis.com              sarima@netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.