The Development of Classical Plant Taxonomy and iFlora

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1143.2012.12144

Abstract

Abstract:

The paper briefly introduces four basic parts in classical plant taxonomy: identification, description, nomenclature and classification. First, identification: Interactive identification (like deltaintkey) is one mean of morphological identification; pattern recognition could be applied to photographic identification; the core of species identification is the molecular identification which reveals the hereditary essence of species. Second, description: DELTA System or analogous systems whose language is aligned with logical computer will be the basic language of the nextgeneration Flora (iFlora). Third, nomenclature: the last 20 years have witenessed some challenges and the desire for change of the ICBN (International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, which is now the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants). Two typical examples are the Draft BioCode and PhyloCode. The attempts will promote the change of nomenclatural rules, which likely to be reflected in iFlora. Fourth, classification: the molecular phylogenetic systems, represented by the APG System (progressing through APGI, II, and III), is becoming the dominant system of plant classification. However, at the species level, the genetic information cannot stand alone for the definition of a species. We need access to comprehensive information of characters, which will also promote the uniting of morphological traits, genetic traits, distribution data and other information. Familiarization with and mastering of these new techniques and ideas are essential. Undoubtedly, this integration will provide an important reference point for the design and compilation of the iFlora. In the coming decade, iFlora will be the embodiment of the achievements of modern plant taxonomy.

Key words: Classical taxonomy, Description, Identification, Nomenclature, Systematics, iFlora

摘要：

简要介绍了经典植物分类的基础工作，即鉴定、描述、命名和分类，以及发展动向。作者认为计算机辅助鉴定（如deltaintkey）将成为形态鉴定的常规手段；模式识别技术是植物图像鉴定的发展方向；突出物种遗传本质的分子鉴定将成为植物物种鉴定的核心。DELTA系统或类似的符合计算机逻辑的分类学描述语言将成为新一代植物志（iFlora）的基本语言。近20年来，一些学者逐渐表现出对现行植物命名法规的质疑和修改意愿，特别是生物法规草案（Draft BioCode）和谱系法规（PhyloCode）两个试行法规的诞生。它们促进对法规的革新与完善，并在iFlora中得以体现。以APG系统为代表的分子系统发育研究已经成为植物系统分类研究的主流，但在物种层面，物种的界定仅仅依靠分子信息显然是不够的，而必须运用综合的特征性状信息进行分析解读，真正实现物种在形态、遗传信息等综合性状的融合统一。了解和掌握这些新的技术和研究成果，无疑对于iFlora设计和编研有着重要的参考意义，而基于新技术和新理念的iFlora也将成为植物分类最新发展成果的集中体现。

关键词: 经典分类, 植物鉴定, 形态描述, 植物命名, 系统分类, 新一代植物志

CLC Number:

Q 949，Q 948.2

FANG Wei, LIU En-De. The Development of Classical Plant Taxonomy and iFlora[J]. Plant Diversity, 2012, 34(6): 532-538.

方伟, 刘恩德. 经典植物分类学的发展与iFlora[J]. Plant Diversity, 2012, 34(6): 532-538.

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