October 18, 2005

Jack Coate & Julien Louys

Department of Anatomy

School of Medical Sciences

University of New South Wales

Sydney, NSW, 2052

Australia

+61 2 9385 3676

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 *What's your philosophy? Evolutionary Systematics or Phylogenetics, or
something else…*

 Dear researchers and students,

 In an attempt to better gauge the current consensus as to the methods of
biological classification (extinct and extant flora or fauna) we are
undertaking an international survey. To achieve this objective we ask for
your participation. If you could please answer the following short
questions, it would be greatly appreciated. Your response will enable us to
report on the existing paradigms prevalent in modern biological research,
conservation and classification.

 Please send us your response by email. If you prefer, a postal address is
given above. This survey is completely voluntary and anonymous. A reply is
indicative of informed consent. Please note, data from this survey may be
published. Any emails received from recipients will be kept on file; however
at no time will these addresses be disseminated, and any information
received will be used for the purposes of this survey only. This survey was
distributed to the public on Oct. 18, 2005 and responses will be accepted
until Nov. 30, 2005. Complaints concerning this survey may be directed to
the Ethics Secretariat, at the University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW
2052, Australia (phone +612 93854234, fax +612 93856648 and email
[log in to unmask]).

 To increase our sample size, we kindly ask all recipients and participants
to please forward this questionnaire to any other person and/or party who
may be interested.

 Thank you for your attention and participation.

Sincerely, Jack Coate & Julien Louys

 *QUESTIONNAIRE *

* *

*1*. Do you consider yourself to be a(n)?

a) Phylogeneticist

b) Evolutionary Systematist

c) Neither of the above

Answer: _______ If c), please list method ­­­­___________

 *2*. Given only three choices, which definition of a species (extinct or
extant) would you most likely agree with? **

a) Biological Species Concept

b) Phylogenetic Species Concept

c) Evolutionary Species Concept

d) None of the above

Answer: ____ If d), please list definition and/or reference ______________

 *3*. Do you think your choice for the above question can be used with
extant organisms as well as the fossil record? Yes/No/Unsure ________

* *

*4. *Do you think the level of classification of taxa should be dependant on
their temporal span? Yes/No/Unsure *________ *

* *

*5*. Is the use of the above method of classification (Re. Question 1)
necessary in your day-to-day research? Yes or No *________*

 *6. *Do you think these methods of classification are mutually exclusive?
Yes or No _________

 *7.* Please state your field of research: (e.g. wildlife biology, genetics,
wildlife conservation, botany, paleontology, anthropology, etc.) *
______________*

 *8.* If you instruct and train any students, which method do you recognize
and apply? Or, if you are a student, which methods are employed?
_____________

 *9.* What country are you working in and/or where are you based (optional)?
*______________*

 *10. *Would you like to receive the results from this survey? Yes or
No_________