ABO、MN血型及其与测量体征关系的初步探讨

本文提供了男、女两性共404人ABO、MN血型各表现型的35个体质特征测量数据,对血型和测量体征的关系进行了初步讨论。统计分析表明,不同血型群体的某些单个体征平均值之间有显著差异。对所调查的35个体征作整体分析,可见男性MN系统和女性ABO、MN系统各血型群体平均值之间差异显著。在MN血型系统,MN型群体的测量体征平均值低于M型和N型与MN基因型的杂合状态有密切关系。本文还分析了4个民族的血型资料,表明MN血型在ABO血型系统是随机分布的。     

THE IMMUNOLOGICAL SPECIFICITY OF THE EUGLOBULIN AND PSEUDOGLOBULIN FRACTIONS OF HORSE AND H^MAN SERUM

That portion of horse and human serum globulin precipitated by 33 per cent saturation with ammonium sulfate and precipitated on subsequent dialysis was taken as euglobulin; and the fraction precipitated between 33 and 50 per cent saturation and remaining in solution on subsequent dialysis was taken as pseudoglobulin. The sera of rabbits injected with either of these antigens gave precipitation with both. However, two distinct and fraction-specific antibodies could be demonstrated by absorbing the sera with the one antigen, and testing the supernatant fluid with the other. The experimental results are adequately explained on the basis that there are at least two antigenically distinct globulins in serum which we may term globulin I and globulin II and which are largely associated with so called euglobulin and pseudoglobulin respectively. The ordinary methods of salting out and dialysis do not effect complete separation and each globulin preparation contains a trace of the other antigen. The antisera to these euglobulin and pseudoglobulin preparations therefore contain antibodies to both antigens. Each protein solution precipitates all the antibody specific for the one antigen and in addition, by virtue of the trace of contaminating protein, precipitates a portion, and only a portion of the antibody specific for the other antigen. The fact that antisera to whole serum contain these same fraction-specific antibodies suggests that this immunological specificity is an inherent property of two globulins present as such in serum and is not an artifact induced by their precipitation and purification. Lipoids extracted from the globulins by ether, petroleum ether, and alcohol give no demonstrable reaction with antisera to these globulins; antisera absorbed with a large excess of lipoid are not affected as regards their reactivity with the original protein; and globulins extracted with ether and petroleum ether at room temperature are not affected as regards their reactivity with antisera. It is concluded that the immunological specificity of the globulin fractions as evidenced by the precipitation reaction is not determined by lipoids associated with the protein.     

大别山植物区系及南坡和北坡相关性研究

大别山位于皖、鄂、豫三省交界处,约有维管植物1722种,隶属于199科、697属。大别山植物区系具有下列基本特征:1)植物种类丰富;2)植物区系起源古老;3)大别山特有成分较多;4)地理成分复杂;5)区系过渡性明显。本文通过比较分析方法,从大别山不同区域的五个山头(马宗岭、天堂寨、多枝尖、陀尖、湖北大别山)的气侯、植物地理因素,种子植物的数目和结构、优势科、常绿植物和常绿阔叶林、属种相似性系数等方面着重研究了大别山南、北坡的相互关系。作者认为整个大别山植物区系应归属于华东植物区系,其植被应归入北亚热带落叶—常绿阔叶混交林。在划分中、北亚热带分界线时,大别山必须作为一个整体考虑。     

THE INFLUENCE OF ELECTROLYTES ON THE SOLUTION AND PRECIPITATION OF CASEIN AND GELATIN

1. Colloids have been divided into two groups according to the ease with which their solutions or suspensions are precipitated by electrolytes. One group (hydrophilic colloids), e.g., solutions of gelatin or crystalline egg albumin in water, requires high concentrations of electrolytes for this purpose, while the other group (hydrophobic colloids) requires low concentrations. In the latter group the precipitating ion of the salt has the opposite sign of charge as the colloidal particle (Hardy''s rule), while no such relation exists in the precipitation of colloids of the first group. 2. The influence of electrolytes on the solubility of solid Na caseinate, which belongs to the first group (hydrophilic colloids), and of solid casein chloride which belongs to the second group (hydrophobic colloids), was investigated and it was found that the forces determining the solution are entirely different in the two cases. The forces which cause the hydrophobic casein chloride to go into solution are forces regulated by the Donnan equilibrium; namely, the swelling of particles. As soon as the swelling of a solid particle of casein chloride exceeds a certain limit it is dissolved. The forces which cause the hydrophilic Na caseinate to go into solution are of a different character and may be those of residual valency. Swelling plays no rôle in this case, and the solubility of Na caseinate is not regulated by the Donnan equilibrium. 3. The stability of solutions of casein chloride (requiring low concentrations of electrolytes for precipitation) is due, first, to the osmotic pressure generated through the Donnan equilibrium between the casein ions tending to form an aggregate, whereby the protein ions of the nascent micellum are forced apart again; and second, to the potential difference between the surface of a micellum and the surrounding solution (also regulated by the Donnan equilibrium) which prevents the further coalescence of micella already formed. This latter consequence of the Donnan effect had already been suggested by J. A. Wilson. 4. The precipitation of this group of hydrophobic colloids by salts is due to the diminution or annihilation of the osmotic pressure and the P.D. just discussed. Since low concentrations of electrolytes suffice for the depression of the swelling and P.D. of the micella, it is clear why low concentrations of electrolytes suffice for the precipitation of hydrophobic colloids, such as casein chloride. 5. This also explains why only that ion of the precipitating salt is active in the precipitation of hydrophobic colloids which has the opposite sign of charge as the colloidal ion, since this is always the case in the Donnan effect. Hardy''s rule is, therefore, at least in the precipitation of casein chloride, only a consequence of the Donnan effect. 6. For the salting out of hydrophilic colloids, like gelatin, from watery solution, sulfates are more efficient than chlorides regardless of the pH of the gelatin solution. Solution experiments lead to the result that while CaCl₂ or NaCl increase the solubility of isoelectric gelatin in water, and the more, the higher the concentration of the salt, Na₂SO₄ increases the solubility of isoelectric gelatin in low concentrations, but when the concentration of Na₂SO₄ exceeds M/32 it diminishes the solubility of isoelectric gelatin the more, the higher the concentration. The reason for this difference in the action of the two salts is not yet clear. 7. There is neither any necessity nor any room for the assumption that the precipitation of proteins is due to the adsorption of the ions of the precipitating salt by the colloid.     

PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE MARINE AND FRESHWATER THALAS-SIOSIROID DIATOMS

The thalassiosiroid centric diatoms are distinguished by at least one synapomorphy, the strutted process or fultoportula. Variously classified as a family (Thalassiosiraceae) or an order (Thalassiosirales) among centric diatoms, it is generally conceded that the group of several hundred fossil and living species is monophyletic as a whole. There are two ecological groups of thalassiosiroids, marine and freshwater. It has been hypothesized, based on an ecletic, non-rigorous, evolutionary taxonomy perspective that both the marine and freshwater ecological groups are also monophyletic, but this hypothesis has never been tested in a rigorous framework. Likewise, the freshwater thalassiosiroid species have been grouped into several genera and subgenera using an evolutionary taxonomic approach, but these hypotheses have not fully been tested using cladistic analysis. Focusing mainly on freshwater species, but including at least one representative of each marine genus and one representative from each of several proposed subgeneric groupings of the genus Thalassiosira , we scored morphological characters for fossil and living marine and freshwater Thalassiosiraceae to test these hypotheses. Our cladistic results provide strong support for monophyly for the freshwater group, but it seems unlikely that the marine group is monophyletic. The cladistic results are corroborated to greater or lesser degrees by the fossil record. The implications for evolution in the group and for taxon sampling in molecular studies we are conducting will be discussed.     

THE CAPTURE AND TRANSLOCATION OF THE BLACK RHINOCEROS

Black rhinoceroses were hunted on foot, from a vehicle, or from a helicopter throughout their range of habitats. Animals weighing 370–1,260 kg could be handled an average of 13 min after darting with a mixture of etorphine (1.9 μg/kg) and acepromazine (19 μg/kg). Cases of respiratory depression at this dosage were reversed soon after immobilisation by the intravenous injection of cyprenorphine (1.0 μg/kg). The captured animal was transported to camp, lashed on its side to a sledge, for periods of up to 515 min without mishap. A rhinoceros that was unloaded 180 min after darting rose to its feet and tried to push its way through the corner of the pen until antidote was administered at 215 min. This action was not observed in animals that received a total dose of 3.4 μg/kg of cyprenorphine before being unloaded 90–413 min after darting. The addition of hyoscine (at doses as low as 18 μg/kg) to etorphine and acepromazine improved the tractability of rhinoceroses that were only partially immobilised. However, sometimes at this dosage and always at doses above 35 μg/kg, hyoscine prolonged the ‘pushing’ phase for 175–410 min after darting despite the administration of cyprenorphine (4.0 μg/kg). There were no mortalities due to drug action in the series of 59 healthy rhinoceroses that were dart-immobilised, but there were two deaths due to mishandling and one caused by subsequent mismanagement.     

背联体贻贝棘尾虫的形态,形态发生及其调节现象

背联体贻贝棘尾虫的每一虫腹面含有相当于正常棘尾虫的腹面纤毛系统,背联两虫任意一侧属于一虫的背面有4列背触毛,它们的排列分布相似于正常棘昆虫的第1—4列背触毛,另一虫背面打2列背触毛,它们相似于正常棘尾虫的第5、6列背触毛。结果表明,背联体棘尾虫是其中两虫各以背面第4列和第5列背触毛之间的皮层区相联接形成的。也有的背联体中背部皮层联接区有变化。无性分裂中背联两虫皮层纤毛结构的形态发生相似于正常棘尾虫,并且两者其皮层纤毛器如口围带、额腹横棘毛、左、右缘棘毛和背触毛等相应结构的发育是同步进行的,推测背联两虫的皮层发育既是相对独立的,又有某种机制控制着相互间的协调。背联体棘昆虫在无性生殖周期中总是经历着一个调节成单体的过程,认为这于背联两虫都具有一套结构功能正常的运动胞器(特别是口围带),而产生向不同方向运动的“不协调”的力有关。     

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION AND FUMIGANT TOXICITY OF THE ALKYL IODIDES

Nineteen alkyl iodides have been tested as fumigants against the grain weevil, Calandragranaria , using the technique previously described. Relative toxicities, and also the toxicities of mixtures of selected pairs of iodides, were determined.
Secondary and tertiary isomers were in general less toxic than the primary, irrespective of whether the toxicity was measured by molar LD 50' or the corresponding relative saturation (Pt/pB) values. Despite differences in LD 50', isomeric primary iodides often acted at about the samep,/p, value. It is suggested that these observations provide evidence that, although chemical reactivity appears to be the principal factor determining the values of LD so's in the iodide series, such physical factors as phase distribution also play their part, and their effect becomes noticeable for the primary isomers, for which the chemical reactivities may be nearly the same.
The deaths of individual grain weevils which had been exposed to iodides were more or less delayed. The change of the kill with time was, under standard conditions, the same when all except methyl and the tertiary iodides were used, which suggests that with these possible exceptions, all the iodides have the same type of chemical action on the organisms. The toxicities of mixtures of selected iodides tended to confirm this, for they varied from about 1.0 to 1.25 times the value predicted from the toxicities of the single iodides using the similar action equation. Despite the apparent similarity in mode of action the LD 50's and pt / p8 values varied widely, as did the ratios of the LD 50's of successive homologues in different isomeric series. This suggests that neither the magnitude of the pt / p8 value, nor the way in which it changes from member to member in a series, gives always a useful indication of the type of action shown by a compound or group of compounds.     

Action Potentials in Lupinus angustifolius L. Shoots: IV. APPLICATION OF THERMAL STIMULI AND INVESTIGATIONS ON THE CONDUCTION PATHWAYS OF THE EXCITATION

The character of action potentials induced by thermal or electricalstimulation and their blocking by removal of a ring of tissuefrom the shoot as well as the spread of these potentials inthe Lupinus shoot were investigated. The appearance of anothertype of excitation was noted as a graded response occurringlocally. This potential was termed graded potential (GP). Itappears in tissues in which action potentials (AP) are not observed. It is proposed that two interrelated types of reaction to stimulioccur in various types of plant tissue.     

USING RDNA GENES TO UNDERSTAND THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF SPLICEOSOMAL AND GROUP I INTRONS

Ribosomal DNA genes in lichen algae and lichen fungi are astonishingly rich in spliceosomal and group I introns. We use phylogenetic, secondary structure, and biochemical analyses to understand the evolution of these introns. Despite the widespread distribution of spliceosomal introns in nuclear pre-mRNA genes, their general mechanism of origin remains an open question because few proven cases of recent and pervasive intron origin have been documented. The lichen introns are valuable in this respect because they are undoubtedly of a "recent" origin and limited to the Euascomycetes. Our analyses suggest that rDNA spliceosomal introns have arisen through aberrant reverse-splicing (in trans) of free pre-mRNA introns into r RNAs. We propose that the spliceosome itself (and not an external agent; e.g. transposable elements, group II introns) has given rise to the introns. The rDNA introns are found most often between the flanking sequence G (78%) - intron-G (72%), and their clustered positions on secondary structures suggest that particular r RNA regions are preferred sites (i.e., proto-splice sites) for insertion. Mapping of intron positions on the newly available tertiary structures show that they are found most often in exposed regions of the ribosomes. This again is consistent with an intron origin through reverse-splicing. Remarkably, the distribution and phylogenetic relationships of most group I introns in nuclear rDNA genes are also consistent with a reverse-splicing origin. These data underline the value of lichens as a model system for understanding intron origin and stress the importance of RNA-level processes in the spread of these sequences in nuclear coding regions.     

广西百色和永乐盆地的始新世猪类化石──兼论早期猪类的分类和演化(英文)

描述了广西百色及永乐盆地发现的中始新世最晚期一晚始新世的猪类化石。这批已知最早的猪超科化石,大大丰富了亚洲地区的早期猪类,对了解全球猪类的早期演化有着重要价值。广西的材料被确定为两个新属新种：萨氏始新猪Ｅｏｃｅｎｃｈｏｅｒｕｓ ｓａｖａｇｅｉ和广西华夏猪Ｈｕａｘｉａｃｈｏｅｒｕｓ ｇｕａｎｇｘｉｅｎｓｉｓ,一个新种：粗壮暹罗猪Ｓｉａｍｏｃｈｏｅｒｕｓ　ｖｉｒｉｏｓｕｓ和一个未定属种：Ｔａｙａｓｓｕｉｄａｅ　ｇｅｎ．ｅｔ　ｓｐ．ｉｎｄｅｔ。加上已发表的单尖旅猪Ｏｄｉｏｃｈｏｅｒｕｓ　ｕｎｉｃｏｎｕｓ,百色、永乐盆地共计发现了５种始新世猪类化石。新属Ｅｏｃｅｎｃｈｏｅｒｕｓ虽然臼齿结构简单,与原始的古猪类（ｐａｉａｅｏｃｈｏｅｒｉｄ）接近,但因其Ｍ３具有一个明显的跟座而被归入猪科。早期猪科动物非常原始的臼齿形式证明,猪科动物的起源并不晚于古猪科（Ｐａｌａｅｏｃｈｏｅｒｉｄａｅ）和西科（Ｔａｙａｓｓｕｉｄａｅ）。旧大陆的古猪类长期以来被认为与新大陆的西类（ｔａｙａｓｓｕｉｄ）更为接近,多数学者将其归入西科。笔者认为两者共有的近祖特征,并不能支持它们更近的亲缘关系,而且古猪类缺乏典型西类的近裔特征,因而支持将Ｐａｌａ?     

The sticking point: How integrins bind to their ligands

The integrin adhesion receptors are alpha beta heterodimers that exist in different ligand-binding states. Because of their large size and conformational lability, it has been difficult to determine how they interact with their ligands. Ligand-binding sites have been identified in the beta subunit, and now more recently in the 'I' domain and EF-hand-like domains V and VI of the alpha subunit. We speculate here about how these various sites might operate together to bind ligand in a stable manner.     

PHYLOGENY OF THE RUBIACEAE AND THE LOGANIACEAE: CONGRUENCE OR CONFLICT BETWEEN MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR DATA?

Phylogenetic analyses of 33 genera of Rubiaceae were performed using morphological and a few chemical characters. Parsimony analysis based on 29 characters resulted in eight equally parsimonious trees, with a consistency index of 0.40 and a retention index of 0.69. These results were compared to a phylogenetic analysis of the same genera based on chloroplast DNA restriction site data. There are discrepancies between the two analyses, but if we consider groupings reflected in the present classification there is much congruency. With the exception of four genera, all the genera are positioned in the same group of taxa in the two analyses. Clades of taxa representing three of the four subfamilies (~the Antirheoideae, ~the Rubioideae, and the ~Ixoroideae) are monophyletic, while the fourth subfamily Cinchonoideae is shown to be paraphyletic. Both analyses support a widened tribe Chiococceae, including the former subtribe Portlandiinae (Condamineeae). Furthermore, in both analyses the tribe Hamelieae is placed outside the subfamily Rubioideae where it is now housed. In search for the most plausible sister group to the Rubiaceae, the genus Cinchona (Rubiaceae) was analyzed together with 13 genera of the Loganiaceae, Nerium (Apocynaceae), and Exacum (Gentianaceae). Cornus (Comaceae), Olea (Oleaceae), and these two genera together were used as outgroups. The analysis, including 25 characters, 16 taxa, and with Cornus and Olea together as an outgroup, resulted in four equally parsimonious trees, with a consistency index of 0.53 and a retention index of 0.62. The non-Loganiaceae taxa Cinchona (Rubiaceae), Nerium (Apocynaceae), and Exacum (Gentianaceae) were all found to have their closest relatives within the Loganiaceae indicating that the Loganiaceae are paraphyletic and ought to be reclassified. As a result of the morphological data the most plausible sister group to the Rubiaceae is the tribe Gelsemieae of the Loganiaceae.     

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLIMATE AND ANNUAL CYCLES IN THE COTINGIDAE

This survey is based primarily or the state of moult of over 4000 specimens of cotingas from all parts of the neotropical region. The seasonality of moult thus revealed is combined with existing knowledge of breeding seasons and seasonal environmental changes in an attempt to work out the broad pattern of annual cycles and their relation to climate. Within any local population the date of onset of moult may vary according to sex and age. In genera in which both sexes participate in nesting, males and females begin to moult at about the same time, or the males slightly in advance of the females. In genera with marked sexual dimorphism, in which only the female attends the nest, males may begin to moult well before females, at about the time that the latter begin egg-laying. The former group includes the genera Pachyramphus and Tityra, comprising species that are largely insectivorous, and the latter group includes the more specialized frugivorous genera. In all areas with well-marked seasonality, the ‘frugivorous group’ moults on average before the ‘Pachyramphus group’. It appears to be a general rule for first-year birds to moult earlier than older birds. A regional survey embracing all parts of the neotropical region shows that the peak of onset of moult occurs towards the end of the dry season (frugivorous group) or early in the wet season (Pachyramphus group). The changing moult seasons, strikingly in conformity with the geographical changes in the period of heaviest rainfall, are traced along a number of transects from Mexico in the north to Paraguay and Bolivia in the south. Such evidence as there is suggests that the main period of onset of moult in the frugivorous and Pachyramphus groups coincides with the period when their food is approaching or at its seasonal peak of abundance. It seems that both breeding and moult, which are almost entirely mutually exclusive, are as far as possible timed to coincide with this most favourable period; but whereas the moult takes a more or less fixed length of time the period when breeding is possible varies greatly in different species. Widely different patterns of annual cycle may result from the interaction of the two processes. Examples are given both from the cotingas and from species of other families with similar ecology. The proximate factors controlling the timing of the moult are briefly considered. It is suggested that increasing food availability is the main environmental controlling factor, and that an endogenous circannual cycle of moult must also be involved.     

OBSERVATIONS OF GROUP BEHAVIOUR AND BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE YELLOW-BILLED SHRIKE CORVINELLA CORVINA

Yellow-billed Shrikes were found to live in groups throughout the year. Within the group, each member helped to defend the group's territory, warn against predators and feed the breeding female, nestlings and fledglings.
During the study there was little change in the location of the boundaries and in the areas of the territories occupied by the majority of the groups. The densities of the larger groups were in general two to three times that of smaller groups. Numbers within one group varied by ±24% of the average (12) during a period of three years.
Progeny remained in a group for some years before dispersing, sometimes in parties of the same sex. Both sexes exchanged groups, the females moving on average further than males. During successive periods in the history of a group the representation of the sexes varied from a surplus of females to a surplus of males. In the population as a whole the sex ratio was probably parity.
Only one female bred in a group at a particular time and she alone incubated. Eggs were laid on consecutive days. Breeding started at the height of the dry season; the first peak in egg laying occurred at the beginning of the rains; laying continued through the wet season and ceased usually in August. The most frequent clutch size was four, and varied little within a breeding season or between seasons. The incubation period ranged from 15 to 18 days, the most frequently recorded being 17 days. The nestling period was 19 days. The percentage of total eggs laid that produced fledglings was 25% and yearlings 11%.
Young shrikes were independent in the seventh week, participated in group displays in their tenth week and fed fledglings in their fourteenth week.
The age of first breeding was not discovered. Two females in their sixth year were still helpers in a group at the end of the study.     

北京九龙山地区的植被及其对生境类型的指示意义

 本研究在对北京西郊九龙山地区植被(以次生灌丛和灌草丛为主)全面调查的基础上,分析了该地区的植物区系和植物群落特性。采用系统聚类的方法,以各样方包含的主要植物种类为属性,对120个样方进行了系统聚类分析,阐明了一定地段上的植物种类组成对生境条件(尤其是土壤条件)的指示意义。进而对九龙山植被及其生境进行了分类,并指出了各植物群落类型的组成、结构和分布规律及其与土壤厚度、土壤水分状况等生境条件的密切关系。文章还讨论了京郊低山地各生境类型的改造和利用途径。     

儿童牙齿表面的菌群分布与龋齿的关系

本实验从幼儿园和小学一年级的学生中选择５－８岁的无龋齿和有龋齿的儿童各４５例,进行牙齿表面的菌群分布与龋齿关系的研究,结果在有龋组中分离到变形链球菌８株,放线菌６株及拟杆菌２６株,而在无龋组中未分离到变形链球菌,分离到放线菌１株,拟杆菌１４株,两组比较,以上三种菌有显著差异（Ｘ２检验Ｐ＜０．０５）。说明除变形链球菌是主要的致龋菌外〔１,２〕,还应考虑放线菌和拟杆菌在龋齿发生上的作用。此外,我们还发现两组的兼性厌氧菌的分布也有所不同,无龋组中分离到棒状杆菌２９株,而有龋组中分离到棒状杆菌１１株,小肠结肠炎耶尔森氏菌７株,两组也有明显差异,故我们认为龋齿发生的原因可能是多方面的,就病原菌来说,也可能是多种细菌的混合作用,从两组兼性厌氧菌与无芽胞厌氧菌的分布不同来看,亦应考虑龋齿的发生与口腔内生态平衡有关     

人和大鼠胃窦部神经内分泌细胞分布和形态学的比较研究

目的探讨人和大鼠胃窦部神经内分泌细胞的分布和形态学特征。方法采用免疫细胞化学方法,检测人和大鼠胃窦部粘膜内生长抑素细胞(D细胞)、胃泌素细胞(G细胞)、5-羟色胺细胞(5-HT细胞)、嗜铬粒素A细胞(CgA细胞)的分布。结果人和大鼠的G、D细胞的特征是都具有细胞突起,但是在细胞密度及其分布上是不同的;5-HT细胞的分布在两组稍有不同,在大鼠胃窦部,大多数5-HT细胞位于腺体基部,而人的5-HT细胞主要在间质,少数位于腺上皮内;在两组中,CgA细胞几乎布满整个胃粘膜,其数量也高于其他神经内分泌细胞,CgA细胞形态多样,胞质内充满细小颗粒。结论1)人与大鼠的G、D细胞通常都伴有突起,但其分布不同。2)5-HT细胞形态多样,分布于间质和腺上皮内。3)CgA细胞特征是胞质内充满细小颗粒,细胞形态多样,几乎布满整个粘膜。     

PHYLOGENETIC SYSTEMATICS AND THE SPECIES PROBLEM

Abstract— A tension has arisen over the primacy of interbreeding versus monophyly in defining the species category. Manifestations of this tension include unnecessary restriction of the concept of monophyly as well as inappropriate attribution of "species" properties, to "higher taxa", and vice versa. Distinctions between systems (wholes) deriving their existence from different underlying. processes have been obscured by failure to acknowledge different interpretations of the concept of individuality. We identify interbreeding (resulting in populations) and evolutionary descent (resulting in monophyletic groups) as two processes of interest to phylogenetic systematists, and explore the relations between the systems resulting from these processes. In the case of sexual reproduction, populations of interbreeding organisms (regardless of whether they are monophyletic) exist as cohesive wholes and play a special role in phylogenetic systematics, being the least inclusive entities appropriate for use as terminal units in phylogenetic analysis of organismal relationships. Both sexual and asexual organisms form monophyletic groups. Accepting the reality and significance of both interbreeding and monophyly emphasizes that a conscious decision must be made regarding which phenomenon should be used to define the species category. Examination of species concepts that focus either on interbreeding or on common descent leads us to conclude that several alternatives are acceptable from the standpoint of phylogenetic systematics but that no one species concept can meet the needs of all comparative biologists.