The end of higher taxa: A reply to tattersall

Human, almost human: how many human species are there?

“…"Human" does not seem to be a taxonomic category. Higher taxa have always raised numerous difficulties (Hoffstetter, 1973), to such a degree that some have declared "the end of higher taxa" (Cartmill, 2013).…”

Delimitating species in paleoanthropology

“…Some paleoanthropologists now regularly conflate “hominid” with “hominin,” leaving audiences confused. Others have recently declared “the end of higher taxa” …”

“…Others have recently declared "the end of higher taxa". 7 Confusions emanating from cladistic classification are far outweighed by the positive effects of cladistic phylogenetics. Paleoanthropologists today share with virtually all biologists the recognition that phylogenetic branching of species lineages is best inferred from shared, derived characters.…”

“…Recent pages of this journal have witnessed debate about whether paleoanthropology's role is confined to an historical science about genealogy and narrative 19 or encompasses a more comprehensive quest to broadly illuminate the biological processes and patterns of human evolution. 7 Whichever of these philosophies is adopted, delimitating and understanding hominid species lineages will continue to play central roles. Moreover, inaccurately delimitating species lineages will continue to obscure the place of Homo sapiens in nature and distract from the challenges at hand.…”