Statistical consistency and phylogenetic inference: a brief review. (12th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brower, Andrew V. Z.
• Is Part Of: Cladistics. Volume 34:Number 5(2018:Oct.)
• Page Start: 562
• Page End: 567
• Publication Date: 2017-09-12
• Subjects: Cladistic analysis -- Periodicals; 578.012
• DOI: 10.1111/cla.12216
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0748-3007

Abstract

Abstract: The claim that parsimony can be statistically inconsistent remains the chief criticism of the cladistic approach, and also the main justification for alternative model‐based approaches such as maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Despite its refutation in the 1980s, this persistent myth of parsimony's Achilles' heel is entrenched in the primary literature, and has metastasized into textbooks, as well. Here, I review historical controversies, and offer three short arguments as to why statistical consistency is not only irrelevant to systematics, but to empirical science in general.