RE: Classification: A Definition

[Anthony Docimo <keenir@hotmail.com>]

> For the Monotremata example, Mammalia is a clade inside Synapsida, just as 
> Monotremata is a clade inside Mammalia.  Thus, by extension, Monotremata is 
> a clade (one of many) inside Synapsida.  The source of confusion for 
> Anthony Docimo, as far as I can tell, is that he is assuming that the word 
> "monotreme" is supplanted by "synapsid".  This is conceptually incorrect.

actually, that wasn't what I was asking....I was reminded that not all 
egg-laying mammals could be classed as monotremes  --  so I asked if they 
could be classed as synapsids.  (as just calling them "mammals" would just 
confuse some kids)

hope that clarifies things; thanks for the reference.

_________________________________________________________________
PC Magazine?s 2007 editors? choice for best Web mail?award-winning Windows 
Live Hotmail. 
http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us&ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_mini_pcmag_0507