[The problem of individuality in taxonomy].
The ideas of wholeness of superorganism units consist of three constituents: 1) emergeness of properties of the whole; 2) structureness; 3) separability of the whole. Emergeness is a character of both integrated and complex units. Integrated units in strict sense are those that consist of functionally different parts. Species but not super-specific taxa are integrated units. The ideas of unity are based on formula "unity is an aggregation of shape and matter". In taxonomy the idea of archaetype can be used as a shape. Superspecific taxa but not species are recognized as unitary units in taxonomy. Unitary but not integrated units can be considered as individuals.
Pozdniakov
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Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animal, Russian Academy of Science, Siberian Branch ul. 11, Frunze Novosibirsk 630091, Russia.
D000828:Animal Population Groups / Q000145:classification*; D000818:Animals; D010944:Plants / Q000145:classification*; D013045:Species Specificity