New Evolution-based Natural Classification: Cladistics

Biologists and students of biology are quite familiar with the swede Carl Linnaeus (13 May 1707 - 10 January 1778) and his taxonomy system for classifying plants and animals, especially the unique genus-species description of a species, e.g., Homo sapiens or E. coli. However, this system was based on latinized words that Linnaeus based on observable characteristics (e.g., vertebrae, mammary), but also often completely made up.

For those who have read a biography of Linnaeus, it will be obvious that Linnaeus was a very well known person in his time, and considered by many to be something of a genius. He is often referred to as the "Father of Taxonomy" for his many works leading to the ordered structure for the classification of the Plant Kingdom and for laying the groundwork for the taxonomies of the Animal and other Kindoms. His surname, Linnaeus, is a latinization of "linde", for the "linden tree" (a "lime" tree) that was present on the property of his childhood home. In those days of the early 1700s, a surname was required to enter a higher-education school. However, most people in Sweden at the time obtained their "family names" from the first name of their fathers combined with the "sson" suffix. Therefore, Carl's name was originally Carl Nilsson, since his father was Nils Ingmarsson, who in turn was the son of Ingmar Bengtsson. [wikipedia.org: "carl linnaeus"]

Recently, with the new technology for rapidly determining genetic make-up (i.e., DNA sequencing), a clearer relationship between different organisms has been revealed by comparing their DNA sequences, rather than the previous observed characteristics. This has led to the new hierarchical classification system called cladistics, from the Greek word "klados", meaning "branch". Alternatively, the term "phylogenetics" can also be used for the same classification system. Since the changes in the genetic profile of organisms can be observed through time, both within the same species or varieties, and across species, this system is based on evolution. Common ancestry can be observed by similar classification under this system. In addition, newly created species and varieties, e.g., H1N5 virus, can be readily identified and changes or mutations can be compared with related known species and varieties. [wikipedia.org: cladistics]


By contrast, the classification of patent documents has not yet found any similar well-structured system that is universal, efficient and usable. Therefore, patent searchers must, unfortunately, acquaint themselves with three major systems (i.e., ECLA/IPC, USCS and JPOCS) and some minor systems (e.g., Derwent) to locate relevant documents.

Francis "Fran" Lorin
siberkhem.com