Experimental taxonomy

Abstract

The accompanying series of papers embodies an endeavour to express in taxonomic terms the units established by experimental analyses of wild and cultivated populations. At the outset I should like to emphasise that the taxonomic treatment advocated in the following pages is not antagonistic to traditional methods of classification. Experimental Taxonomy, as its title implies, is based upon experimentally ascertainable facts, and when such evidence is lacking classificatory treatment must perforce follow another technique. Experimental Taxonomy, therefore, is actually complementary to Traditional Taxonomy and will ultimately, I hope, provide an additional focus for evolutionary discussion.

In arranging the papers I have given precedence to those bearing on the study of wild populations. This, I believe, is the most logical order since the more or less artificially controlled methods of raising and maintaining economically valuable populations are essentially repetitions of the processes operating naturally in the wild. Undoubtedly such an arrangement somewhat interrupts the chronological sequence of ideas, but this defect is probably more than balanced by the considerations outlined above. Finally it will be noticed that one of the papers in the Flantago series has been written in collaboration with two of my colleagues. This parer has been included here because it forms an integral part of the series as it is the only one containing a detailed account of the technique employed throughout the investigations.

I. Experimental delimitation of species. || II. Experiments on the genetics of wild populations. I. Plantage maritima. || III. Experimental Taxonomy. I. Experimental garden technique in relation to the recognition of the small taxonomic units. || IV. Experimental Taxonomy. U. Initial population differentiation in Plantage maritima L. of Britain. || V. Experimental Taxonomy. IV. Population differentiation in N. American and European Sea Plantains allied to Plantago maritima L. || VI. The ecotype concept in relation to the registration of crop plants. || VII. Reflections concerning new crop varieties.