Integrating comparative morphology and development into evolutionary research

Taxon, vol. 72, pp. 724–732

Abstract

Abstract Comparative morphology was for many years the main source of information for systematic studies. As a result of the molecular revolution in evolutionary botanical research in the early 1990s, we can now rely on a system of classification based primarily or exclusively on DNA. Nevertheless, we would like to emphasise the importance of morphology in this era of molecular phylogenetics. We argue that comparative morphology, using the latest technologies and developmental studies, is a modern and important scientific discipline that is essential to better understand evolution of the angiosperms and many other taxa. This paper also offers a guideline for emerging morphologists and phylogeneticists aiming to include morphology in their research.

Authors 2

1. Julius Jeiter corresponding

   University of Bonn

   Affiliation as printed

   Nees Institute for Biodiversity of Plants University of Bonn Meckenheimer Allee 170 53115 Bonn Germany

   Nees Institute for Biodiversity of Plants, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, Germany

2. ERIK F. SMETS corresponding Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center Darwinweg 2 Institute of Biology Leiden Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Leiden University · KU Leuven · Naturalis Biodiversity Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation KU Leuven Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, P.O. Box 2435 3001 Heverlee Belgium

   Institute of Biology Leiden Leiden University Sylviusweg 72 2333 BE Leiden The Netherlands

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden Leiden The Netherlands

   Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, P.O. Box 2435, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium

   Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands

   Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands