Dear Members: can someone help me with a taxonomic question. I am trying to
distinguish between fixed characters and polymorphic characters. I think the
question can be stated:

Given a matrix of x rows (objects = specimens) and y columns (attributes =
fixed and polymorphic characters) with each attribute having 1-few discrete
states, which attributes are needed to place all objects in groups such that
each group is defined by a unique combination of attribute states and no
group has 2 or more states of any attribute?

Thanks. Sincerely. Andrew Henderson