title: Stochastic complexity as a taxonomic tool.
abstract: In this paper we propose a method of constructing a hierarchical classification based on the notion of stochastic complexity. Minimization of stochastic complexity amounts to maximization of the information content of the classification. A dendrogram is obtained by first finding the classification which minimizes stochastic complexity and then by step-wise merging of groups such that at each step there is a minimum loss of information. The method was applied to a database containing 5313 strains of Enterobacteriaceae. The results are in reasonable accordance with present-day views on the taxonomy of Enterobacteriaceae.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Finland. matsgyl@utu.fi
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Gyllenberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gyllenberg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koski
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lund
mesh_terms: D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000145:classification*; D013269:Stochastic Processes